Headley back in Yankees' lineup

BOSTON -- Chase Headley returned to the Yankees' lineup in Saturday's 5-3 loss after convincing the team's training staff that his sore right calf had healed enough to play the final two games before the All-Star break.

Headley had not played since Tuesday because of what an MRI showed to be inflammation near the back of his knee, but he ran and hit on the field for the second straight day Saturday at Fenway Park, talking his way back into the batting order.

"I feel like I could have played [Friday], the way I moved around and ran and did all that," said Headley, who went 1-for-4 on Saturday. "Once you're there, players want to play. That's what I want to do, I want to go play and I want to do my job."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi had acknowledged that the team considered resting Headley through the All-Star break, and the team was waiting until Headley got through batting practice without incident before making a roster move to accommodate infielder Rob Refsnyder.

"If I felt like I was at any greater risk than any other game I've ever played, I wouldn't be playing, I'll tell you that much," Headley said.

Headley entered play Saturday batting .251 with eight homers and 29 RBIs in 81 games.