Teixeira likely to be activated before May 1

NEW YORK -- The Yankees expect first baseman Mark Teixeira to return from the disabled list before the end of April, but they will likely be without infielder Brendan Ryan until later in the season.

Manager Joe Girardi said on Friday that he is "pretty sure" that Teixeira (strained right hamstring) will be activated before May 1. Ryan (cervical spine nerve) is just beginning light baseball activities at the Yankees' complex in Tampa, Fla.

"He really hasn't had any Spring Training, and you think about what a position player goes through to get himself 40-60 at bats in Spring Training, he's going to take some time," Girardi said.

Girardi said that Ryan has been swinging the bat, but he is not close to getting into Minor League games. General manager Brian Cashman left some wiggle room when asked if Teixeira and David Robertson (strained left groin) would both return in April.

"I'm not ready to say that yet," Cashman said. "I know they hope they can be, and I certainly hope that they will be, but I think it's early in the process to say that -- even though I know it's a 15-day situation for those guys."