Mark Teixeira expects to play in the minors next Wednesday after missing the start of the 2013 season. Teixeira was placed on the 60-day disabled list in spring training after hurting his right wrist in early March , just before he planned on joining Team USA for the World Baseball Classic.
The Yankees’ first baseman may be ready to rejoin his club in early June after manager Joe Girardi watched him play a simulated game at the Yankees minor-league complex with third baseman Kevin Youkilis on Friday.
Youkilis is out with a sore back and also plans on rehabbing in the minor leagues soon. Teixeira plans on suiting up for the Trenton Thunder, the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate, this coming week.
“If everything goes as planned, I’ll leave here Tuesday and play in Trenton Wednesday and Thursday,” Teixeira said on Friday, according to the Associated Press . “That’s the plan right now.”
The Yankees went into the 2013 season with over $80 million of their payroll on the disabled list, but it hasn’t affected their play on the field as they currently sit atop the American League East. Their rival, the Boston Red Sox, are only a game back as they enter play on Friday.
With a tight race in the AL East brewing, the Yankees have to be excited to have a few of their stars return to the lineup. Outfielder Curtis Granderson returned from injury last week and even came within a triple of the cycle this past Tuesday.
Mark Teixeira’s set for the minors to rehab before rejoining the team in June, barring any setback. Last season, Teixeira hit 24 home runs and drove in 84 runs with a .251 batting average.
His power will be a great addition to the Yankees’ lineup, though they’re already near the top of the league in home runs with 58 through their first 46 games.
Do you think Mark Teixeira is ready for a minors rehab stint to get back in the groove before he joins his teammates at Yankee Stadium?
[Image via Keith Allison ]