Yankees send Mark Teixeira to New York for more tests on leg
New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira comes out of the dugout to accept the MetLife July Yankees player of the month before a baseball game against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium on Monday, Aug. 24, 2015. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
With Mark Teixeira "not getting any better," in general manager Brian Cashman's words, the Yankees sent the first baseman back to New York on Monday morning for additional tests on his troublesome right leg.
"We're just going to run through all the tests again to make sure nothing more is going on," Cashman said. "Because he's not getting any better."
Teixeira left the Aug. 17 game against the Twins after fouling a ball off his right knee area. An X-ray, CT scan and MRI showed a severe bone bruise but not a fracture.
The initial diagnosis, however, was for Teixeira to be out no more than seven to 10 days, a time frame that has come and gone. Although he started the Aug. 25 game and pinch hit Aug. 26, he still is unable to put significant pressure on the leg.
Cashman said, "I have been told nothing that would lead me to believe" that Teixeira -- who leads the Yankees with 31 homers and is second with 79 RBIs -- will miss the rest of the season. Cashman wouldn't use the word "concerned" yet, either.
"Well, if it's only what it's supposed to be, then I don't have a concern because it's supposed to be a resolving situation," he said. "But ultimately, we have to make sure there's nothing going on other than the timing issue."
Rookie Greg Bird has filled in well at first base. Cashman said he doesn't see Alex Rodriguez as a credible backup option, saying Chase Headley fits that role better.
"I don't really look at Alex as anything but a DH," Cashman said.
That time of year
With rosters expanding Tuesday, Cashman declined to say who will be included in Tuesday's call-ups other than to say, "We're going to bring up people who can help us."
After Monday night's game, the Yankees announced that infielders Rob Refsnyder, Dustin Ackley and Jose Pirela, outfielder Rico Noel, catcher Austin Romine, righthanders Andrew Bailey and Caleb Cotham and lefthander James Pazos will join the club on Tuesday. Top outfield prospect Aaron Judge could join the Yankees later in the month.
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