Roberts better, dealing with lower back strain

NEW YORK -- NEW YORK -- Brian Roberts said that he is feeling better after being diagnosed with what he called a lower back strain, but manager Joe Girardi wanted to give the Yankees infielder all of Wednesday's day-night doubleheader off.

Roberts said that he aggravated an injury by taking extra batting practice on Saturday. A precautionary MRI came back clean, and Roberts said that he was given some medication to alleviate the discomfort.

"It's just some back spasms. He's much better," Girardi said. "I just would probably stay away from him today and see where we're at [Thursday]."

Roberts said that he came to Yankee Stadium on Tuesday and played catch, in addition to doing cardio and core exercises. Roberts planned to hit on Wednesday, and he said that he could have played if needed.

"I took a bunch of swings Saturday morning. I was trying to get things going," said Roberts, who is off to a 4-for-31 (.129) start at the plate. "Maybe I should have just stuck with where I was."