Mark Teixeira making progress, could return to lineup this weekend
BALTIMORE — Mark Teixeira’s sore left calf passed another test Thursday, and he called it “very encouraging” after he ran in the outfield before the game.
“I felt like it was a really good step in the right direction,” said Teixeira, who figured he ran at about 80 percent effort.
The first baseman, who has missed nine straight games, said his hope — though it admittedly is a long shot — is to return to the lineup Friday night. “We’ll see,’’ he said.
“I’d like to play tomorrow but we’ll see,” he said.
Joe Girardi said the more likely scenario is that Teixeira will return at some point during the weekend.
Teixeira, nursing a grade 1 strain, said: “If we’re up 10 games, I’m probably going to take that extra day or two. “When we’re fighting right now for the lead, I’m going to try and come back as quickly as possible.”