Teixeira has inflammation in right wrist, no tear

ANAHEIM -- The news on Mark Teixeira's ailing right wrist was positive Sunday, but the Yankees are still uncertain if their slumping first baseman is headed for another stint on the disabled list.

An MRI in New York on Sunday morning revealed inflammation, but no tear, manager Joe Girardi said before Sunday's game against the Angels. A torn tendon in the same wrist kept Teixeira out of the Yanks' lineup until May 31 this season, and Girardi said the two injuries are likely related.

Despite the setback, Girardi made sure to point out that inflammation -- and nothing more -- was positive news.

"That's a good thing," Girardi said. "If he was to re-tear it, that would probably be it for the season. We're looking at some inflammation, and we're going to have to see how long it's going to take to get back."

Teixeira was removed from Saturday's game in the fourth inning because he aggravated the wrist, and he headed to New York, where he was evaluated by team physician Christopher Ahmad. In addition to the MRI, Teixeira also received a cortisone injection.

Girardi was noncommittal when asked about the possibility of a DL stint for Teixeira. He reiterated that the club needs to check in on how Teixeira feels Monday, but said he's not an option for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers in the Bronx.

"The inflammation should go away, but it's going to take some time," Girardi said. "He's not a player for at least a couple days. Then we'll evaluate."

In 53 at-bats spanning 15 games, Teixeira is hitting just .151. He has three home runs and 12 RBIs, but all three long balls and eight of those RBIs came in his first seven games back. Since then, he's hitting just .097.

The injury has affected the switch-hitting Teixeira almost exclusively from the left side of the plate. Girardi said until the wrist is healed, the left-handed-hitting Lyle Overbay will fill in at first base. But he added that he isn't too fond of the notion of a left-right platoon with Overbay hitting against righties and Teixeira hitting against left-handers.

"It's not what I really want to do," Girardi said. "I really haven't thought of doing that. We've just got to see how the wrist reacts with this rest."