Empire Writes Back
Fansided

Yankees News: Mark Teixeira Heading For An MRI

By Kenneth Teape

May 18, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira in the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira in the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

New York Yankees news regarding first baseman Mark Teixeira isn’t overly positive, as he was sent for an MRI after exiting Friday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles.

New York Yankees news has not been positive in recent days, as the disabled list continues to be full. Dustin Ackley was placed there earlier in the week and will be out for the remainder of the season with a torn labrum. That put the Yankees in need for a backup first baseman for Mark Teixeira, but now they may need to find a replacement for Teixeira as well.

Teixeira was forced from Friday night’s loss to the Baltimore Orioles after just two innings in the field with soreness in his right knee. He didn’t return to the field for the bottom of the third inning, getting replaced by the recently called up Rob Refsnyder.

Even though it was an emergency situation, expect the Yankees to give Refsnyder a shot until Teixeira returns. He has hit whenever he has been given a chance with the major league club, and with second base and the corner outfield spots full, this could be his shot to get regular at-bats and stick with the major league club.

After the game it was revealed by manager Joe Girardi that Teixeria had undergone an MRI to see what was wrong with his knee. Girardi said that he did not yet have the results from the test, but that the knee locked up on him.

More from New York Yankees

This is a blow to the Yankees as they had already lost Teixeria’s backup earlier in the week, but his replacement can’t perform much worse than he was. The 36-year old Teixeria, who was confident he could play multiple more seasons in the majors during the spring, is struggling mightily this season.

He is batting only .179 thanks in large part to getting only three hits in his last 43 at-bats. He isn’t providing much of anything in the middle of the Yankees order, as he has only three home runs this season and 12 RBI. He hasn’t hit a home run since April 13th and has only two RBI since April ended.

A contributing factor to Teixeira’s struggles this season are the injuries that he has endured. Before the most recent knee injury, Teixeira battled a stiff neck that was treated with a cortisone shot. He also had neck spasms earlier in May, as the neck discomfort has been a constant battle throughout the season.

Next: New York Yankees 5 Greatest Catchers Of All-Time

Teixeira has taken up residence in the MRI room, as this is the second time he has had to take one in less than two weeks, and on two different parts of his body. This isn’t an encouraging sign for him, and he will probably be sidelined throughout the remainder of the weekend at least as they try and figure out what is wrong with him.

Home/New York Yankees