Yankees' Vazquez expects to start Thursday night
New York Yankees starting pitcher #31 Javier Vazquez delivers during the first inning at Citi Field. (May 21, 2010) Credit: Photo by KEVIN P. COUGHLIN
MINNEAPOLIS - Javier Vazquez said he felt normal and declared himself "ready to go" for Thursday night's start.
Vazquez, who left Friday's game against the Mets after bruising his right index finger, threw his scheduled bullpen session before last night's game at Target Field. "It went good, it went normal," he said. "I didn't feel it pitching."
The swelling in the finger went down dramatically from Friday, and Vazquez didn't wear any wrapping Monday or Tuesday.
"I kind of knew it wasn't going to bother me because I threw Sunday and it felt really good," he said.
After being skipped last Monday against the Red Sox and apparently avoiding a more serious injury Friday, Vazquez hopes to get into a consistent routine of every fifth day.
"Oh yeah, no doubt," he said. "I'm ready to go every five days. As a starting pitcher, you want to go out there every five days, so I'm excited to do that."
Setback for Aceves
Reliever Alfredo Aceves, on the disabled list with a strained lower back, walked off the field Tuesday in Tampa after throwing "six or seven" pitches on flat ground, Joe Girardi said. Aceves will go back to New York to be evaluated. "I thought there was improvement, but he felt something," Girardi said. "That's the thing about a back, you never know when it's going to act up. It's not what we wanted."
Tex: Another DH day
Mark Teixeira, who DH'd Wednesday against the Rays and the Thursday before that, May 13 in Detroit, was the designated hitter again last night.
"It's a way to make sure he's fresh," Girardi said. "I think it helps."
Teixeira came into the game hitting .209.
Extra bases
Curtis Granderson is still on target to be back in the lineup Friday against the Indians, Girardi said . . . Girardi said he's kept in contact with Jorge Posada (fractured right foot) and that the catcher was feeling good. Posada is scheduled to be re-evaluated by the doctor Thursday . . . Longtime trainer Gene Monahan, who has been battling cancer, is on his first official road trip of the year. Monahan was on the "road" for last weekend's series at Citi Field.
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