CT scan on Teixeira's foot negative
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NEW YORK -- A CT scan taken Sunday on Mark Teixeira's left foot came back negative, and the first baseman was held out of the Yankees' starting lineup.
Teixeira fouled a ball of his foot in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Red Sox, and even though an X-ray taken postgame came back negative, the team sent him out for the additional test after he woke up sore in the morning.
Last season, Teixeira fractured his right shin on a foul ball on Aug. 17. Teixeira appeared in two more games, but he was then placed on the 15-day disabled list with what was originally called a bone bruise. An MRI taken Sept. 11 showed he actually had a fracture and his season was over.
On June 3, Teixeira was placed on the 15-day DL with a cartilage tear in his right knee.
Rookie utility man Rob Refsnyder got the starting nod at first base Sunday. It was just the 20th time Refsnyder has lined up at first base at the Major League level and the 16th time he's started at the position, one that he learned when the Yankees were in a pinch with Teixeira out of action in June. In the event that Teixeira is unable to play and Refsnyder needs to come out of the game, manager Joe Girardi said his backup first baseman Sunday night would be either Brian McCann off the bench or Austin Romine, who was the starting catcher.
Unless some unforeseen drastic circumstances occur, Alex Rodriguez's chances of playing first base Sunday night are practically nil. Though he's been working at first base before games recently, A-Rod was the designated hitter Sunday and Girardi said he doesn't want to play without a DH in a game where he shouldn't have to.
As for who Girardi does have available at first base, Refsnyder said he's continuing to gain confidence at the bag, but the one thing he needs more of is game action.
"I'm sure there are a bunch of plays that I haven't even experienced yet at first base," Refsnyder said. "So just playing as many games as possible. It sounds crazy, but when you make mistakes, that's kind of when you learn the most not to do that."