New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira told ESPNNewYork.com he expects to be cleared to begin swinging a bat as early as Friday in his recovery from a wrist injury that will sideline him for the first month of the season. Texieira has been on the disabled list since March 31 with a torn sheath in his right wrist.

When the team returns to New York, Teixeira will be examined by Dr. Melvin Rosenwasser, the Yankees' hand and wrist specialist, at Yankees Stadium before the team begins their series against Baltimore Friday night.

"I'm confident the doctor will let me take swings tomorrow," Teixeira said Thursday in New York's clubhouse before the Yankees had the finale of their rain-shortened series against the Indians postponed. "I feel great and I'm getting better every day. There's no pain. I could not be happier with the progress. The plan is to take BP for a week -- it could make my wrist sore as part of the process -- but that is a definite milestone."