KANSAS CITY, Mo. — According to Joe Girardi, Mark Teixeira was not in Sunday’s starting lineup because it was time for him to get a day off and nothing related to his ailing right wrist.
“Just a day off, that’s all it is,’’ Girardi said of the switch-hitting first baseman, who was replaced by Kelly Johnson. “He will be back in there [Monday].’’
Since missing two games (June 1-2) due to an inflamed wrist that received a cortisone shot, Teixeira started five straight games before Sunday. He went 4-for-18 (.222) with a homer (from the right side) and two RBIs. Teixeira, hitting for Johnson in the ninth inning with the potential tying run on second and one out, grounded to the right side.
When inflammation cost Teixeira three games (May 26-28) Girardi said he would closely monitor Teixeira to make sure the surgically repaired wrist wasn’t taxed.
“It’s just being proactive with it,’’ Girardi said. “He has played [five days] in a row so we thought we would give him a day and get back in there [Monday].’’
Girardi doesn’t have a definite plan when he will rest Teixeira.
“I can’t tell you exactly when it’s going to be. I can’t play God or doctor here,’’ Girardi said. “I am not going to try and do that. This is a quick turnaround, day game after a night game. We are in a stretch of 17 [games] in a row, so he is going to need a day somewhere.’’
Derek Jeter is in a 4-for-30 slump, but he hasn’t lost his sense of humor.
After Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar robbed him of a first-inning hit with a diving stop in the hole and strong throw to first, according to Escobar, Jeter told him, “You no mas amigo’’ as he returned to the Yankees’ third-base dugout.
Girardi didn’t rule out carrying three catchers when Francisco Cervelli completes a 60-day DL stint due to a Grade 1 right hamstring injury suffered running the bases April 13. Cervelli, who has been moved to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre while on a minor league rehab assignment, is eligible to be activated Friday.
“I am not sure. A lot of it depends on where we are at when he is eligible to come off and where we feel he is at,’’ Girardi said.
Because Cervelli is out of options and could become a free agent if sent to the minor leagues, he could be kept on the big league roster as first base insurance. Cervelli started two games this year at first (April 8 and April 13) at first. They were his first two big league starts at the position.
“I told him to take ground balls at first,’’ Girardi said. “You never know what type of situation you are going to get into.’’
The Yankees could option John Ryan Murphy to SWB and keep two catchers. If they employ three, Johnson’s roster spot might be in jeopardy.
Girardi would like to add Shawn Kelley’s power arm to the bullpen, but the right-hander will require a second minor league outing before being in place to come off the DL.
Kelley through two-thirds of an inning Saturday for Double-A Trenton and is likely to pitch Monday for SWB.
“I would love to have him, but we feel he needs another outing,’’ Girardi said of Kelley, who hasn’t pitched since May 6 due to a strained lumbar spine.
In four games since coming off the DL, Carlos Beltran is 2-for-14 (.143) overall and 1-for-5 (.200) with runners in scoring position. Girardi was hoping a RBI double Saturday night would get the switch-hitter going, but Beltran went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk Sunday.
Jacoby Ellsbury’s third inning double extended his team-high hitting streak to 13 games. In that span, Ellsbury is batting .385 (20-for-52).