Teixeira works out before Sunday departure

NEW YORK -- Mark Teixeira jogged on the field for the first time since aggravating his Grade 1 left calf strain on Sept. 8 prior to Saturday's matchup with the A's at Yankee Stadium. The first baseman ran lightly, fielded ground balls and took swings in advance of his Sunday departure for Tampa, Fla., where he will gradually increase his workload before taking part in instructional league games.

"We didn't really have a progression last time, it was, 'Get back as soon as possible,'" Teixeira said. "This time, we're doing a progression."

Teixeira missed 10 games after initially injuring his calf running the bases Aug. 27 against Toronto, and Saturday's game against the A's marked the 12th game Teixeira sat out since his one-game return in Baltimore.

He continues to refuse to put a timetable on his return, preferring to avoid the unwanted pressure of a set deadline to get back in the lineup. He reported no issues after jogging on the field for the first time, but still feels soreness at times while walking up or down a set of stairs.

Teixeira does not anticipate any issues swinging a bat or fielding ground balls, but is concerned about his ability to accelerate running the bases or rushing to tag first base after making a play in the field.

"The game in Baltimore I played more shallow because I didn't want to have to sprint to first base," he said. "I played shallow knowing that I wasn't going to be able to accelerate full-speed to get to first base. It's not just hitting, it's fielding, and I want to make sure if I need to get a big out to save an inning that I can do that."