Mark Teixeira suffered a wrist strain taking batting practice cuts days before the World Baseball Classic started during spring training, and the initial timetable for his recovery was eight to ten weeks. As the eight-week end approaches, Teixeira has admitted that he will not be returning on the early side.
"Obviously, I was being as optimistic as I could," Teixeira told MLB.com. "I wish that the very first time I swung a bat, I'd be like, wow, I feel 100 percent. But the chances of that happening weren't there. I was always going to hope for that and prepare for that."
Luckily for the injured first baseman, the New York Yankees have survived without him, belting an American League high 28 home runs in April. The Yankees also rank first in slugging percentage (.441), second in on base plus slugging percentage (.770) and second in total bases (292).
Still, the Bronx Bombers have relied upon surprisingly good starts to the season from veteran castoffs Vernon Wells, Travis Hafner and Lyle Overbay. A return to the lineup would certainly bolster the Yankees everyday lineup, and allow these useful veterans to create a deep and experienced bench. Despite those factors, Teixeira is not going to rush a comeback.
"The last thing you want to do is say, well, I don't know when I'll be back and then not train and not have that focus. I'm training, and I'm focused to try to get back on May 1, but it's probably not going to happen," Teixeira said.
The Yankees are also without third baseman Alex Rodriguez until mid-July at the earliest because of hip surgery, Curtis Granderson until mid-May with a broken forearm and Derek Jeter until after the All-Star break because of setbacks following ankle surgery. Teixeira did note to MLB.com that although he won't be returning as quickly as he hoped, there have been no setbacks in his rehabilitation.
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