Carlos Beltran is expected to be back in The Bronx for Thursday’s game against the A’s as he looks to avoid surgery on the bone spur on his right elbow.
Beltran played his third extended spring training game in Tampa on Wednesday and Yankees manager Joe Girardi said it was a “pretty safe bet” he would be in the lineup as the designated hitter on Thursday afternoon against the A’s.
“We’ll make a decision and see how he feels,” Girardi said.
Beltran’s presence in the lineup and Girardi’s plan to play him only as a DH for now to protect the elbow, no doubt impacts the Yankees’ possible pursuit of free agent Kendrys Morales, who could sign Thursday without costing a team a draft pick.
After two cortisone shots, Beltran would likely have to undergo surgery if he had another setback and that could sideline him for up to three months.
CC Sabathia said he was encouraged after he played catch for the first time since undergoing a stem cell injection last month on his right knee. He made 25 throws from 60 feet and plans on doing the same thing Thursday.
“I didn’t feel anything,” Sabathia said. “I’m confident going forward that we’ll try to pick things up.”
That would include pitching off a mound, though Sabathia said he believed playing catch was a more significant step.
“I feel like as long as I can play catch and push off, I think I’ll be fine off a mound,” Sabathia said. “The last five throws I tried to push off and felt good.”
That gives Sabathia reason to believe he could pitch for the Yankees before the All-Star break.
“It could happen, definitely,” Sabathia said. “It depends on the throwing program and rehab starts. [But] I’ve felt good the past week or so and I’m ready to start going.”
Mark Teixeira played for a second straight game following his battle with soreness in his right wrist and went 1-for-4 in the Yankees’ 7-4 loss to the A’s Wednesday night at the Stadium.
“I believe there’s no issue,” Girardi said. “If an issue arises, then we have to address it. Right now everything is positive.”