Bombers bits

• Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira had the protective brace removed from his right wrist on Monday and said that he has been cleared to begin light upper-body workouts. Teixeira, who is sidelined with a partially torn ECU tendon in his wrist, said that he is "very encouraged" and hopes to resume swinging a bat after his next checkup in about 10 days. The Yankees are optimistic Teixeira can return at some point in May.

• David Phelps threw 33 pitches in a 1 1/3-innings relief appearance during Monday's 8-2 loss to the Red Sox, but he continues to be listed as the Yankees' probable starter for Saturday against the Tigers. Girardi said that he used Phelps because of the righty's prior experience out of the bullpen and success against both left-handed and right-handed hitters.

• Francisco Cervelli did not know that he was going to be the Yankees' Opening Day catcher until he arrived at Yankee Stadium on Monday. Girardi said that he anticipates "a fairly even split" between Cervelli and Chris Stewart for at least the first month of the season, and that it will be an ongoing process to figure out how to balance the duties.