Youk returns to DL with back injury

ANAHEIM -- For the second time this season, the Yankees have placed third baseman Kevin Youkilis on the disabled list.

The 34-year old was placed on the 15-day DL with a lumbar strain prior to Friday's contest against the Angels.

"Basically I have the feeling of when you fall asleep on something, that feeling on my foot, my calf area," Youkilis said. "So we're basically going to get it checked out, make sure it's nothing serious."

Youkilis is scheduled to see a doctor on Monday.

"I think whenever you have a back injury, there are always long-term concerns," manager Joe Girardi said. "It's hard to keep healthy, it really is. With all the movements you make, swings, diving and sliding, it's something that you really have to stay on top of and in a sense, you have to be a little bit lucky too to keep it healthy. It is a concern of mine."

The concern and the uncertainty of everything is unsettling and frustrating to Youkilis.

"When you break your arm or break your finger, it's a lot easier to pinpoint stuff, but when you don't have a definitive answer, it's tough," Youkilis said. "For me personally, I just want to be out there playing, and right now it stinks, but I've really got to worry about my health."

While the 10-year veteran wants to get back out on the field, it is no secret he has been in a slump. Youkilis is hitting just .143 in his last 17 games, but does not believe his back has been holding him back.

"I was going through a tough time, but I don't think this was something that was the sole reason," Youkilis said.

While Youkilis is just the latest in a long line of injuries for the Yankees this season, Girardi likes the way his team has responded to adversity and expects more of the same.

"It's been a lot of guys, but through all of that we're still eight games over .500, not so sure too many people would have bet on that," Girardi said. "So I have faith in these guys that they can continue to win games."