Beltran may land on DL; Ichiro's back stiff

NEW YORK -- The injury hits keep coming for the Yankees, who lost Carlos Beltran to a hyperextended right elbow during Monday's Subway Series-opening 9-7 loss to the Mets and were without Ichiro Suzuki because of a stiff back.

Manager Joe Girardi said that Beltran aggravated his elbow while working out in the batting cages during the game. He was 0-for-3 as a designated hitter in the loss and has been sent for an MRI examination.

The Yankees do not expect to have results on Beltran's tests until Tuesday, but there is fear that the injury may force Beltran to the disabled list. Beltran was pinch-hit for in the seventh inning by John Ryan Murphy.

"I'm concerned because it was enough to take himself out of the game," Girardi said. "I didn't have a long conversation with him about how sore he was. He seemed pretty upset. When someone came and told me, I walked by and it was his right elbow. There's concern."

Ichiro said that he hurt his back on an awkward attempt at Martin Maldonado's sinking line drive in the sixth inning of Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Brewers at Miller Park. Ichiro said that he was unable to loosen up for Monday's game and did not take batting practice.

"Tonight I just couldn't go," Ichiro said through an interpreter. "I was trying to get warmed up inside, but it was a no-go."

"For Ich not to hit on the field, I don't know that I've ever seen that," Girardi said.

The Yankees were also without right-hander Shawn Kelley, who has not pitched since May 6 with tightness in his back. Kelley said earlier on Monday that he expected to be available to pitch, but he told the coaching staff otherwise after batting practice. Girardi is hopeful that Kelley can return on Tuesday.

"He's still not right," Girardi said. "I thought that we would have him today. He just does not have the flexibility to finish his pitches, so I didn't have him."