ST. PETERSBURG -- Mark Teixeira said that he has been experiencing the neck spasms that are currently keeping him out of the lineup intermittently for "the last couple of years," but he is hopeful to return to the field before the Yankees leave Tropicana Field.
Teixeira received two cortisone injections on Thursday in an attempt to calm the spasms, which also knocked him out of the lineup earlier this month following a series against the Orioles in Baltimore. Teixeira is hopeful that he will be able to play on Sunday.
"I've played a lot of games in my career; I've played hard my entire career," Teixeira said. "These things happen. It's what being an athlete is all about, just trying not to get hurt too much."
Teixeira received ice treatment on Friday and is scheduled to do so again on Saturday. Dustin Ackley has started two games at first base this week in Teixeira's absence, while Austin Romine started at first base on Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that he is hoping that Teixeira will be available to play on Sunday or Monday.
"I definitely want to be back as soon as possible," Teixeira said. "We took two days off last time, and we're probably going to give it three this time just to give it that extra day. We'll see if that works."