Mark Teixeira can't shake baffling bronchial problem

The Yankees' medical staff has tried everything to cure the bronchial condition afflicting first baseman Mark Teixeira, and it hasn't worked. So manager Joe Girardi and Teixeira have decided the only answer is to do nothing.

Teixeira sat out his second straight game against the Reds on Saturday at Yankee Stadium, and Girardi's prescription calls for more rest Sunday. Recalling his conversation with Teixeira, Girardi said: " 'You haven't gotten better. So I'm going to give you another day, and I might even give you Sunday and see if we can knock this bronchial problem out.' It physically has to wear on him, and it mentally has to wear on him. I'm just trying something different to get rid of it."

Although Teixeira said the doctors he's seen "think they kind of know what it is," the various medications he's tried simply haven't worked. "We've tried everything," Teixeira said before Saturday's game. "That's why rest is the last effort. I've taken more medicine than I'd like to. I think we're done with that option, and rest is kind of the final straw for us."

Girardi said he consulted with the Yankees' medical personnel Friday, and rest was the best option. Strenuous physical activity has been the trigger for Teixeira's problems breathing and coughing.

"Yeah, once I start breathing heavy and get worked up, it starts the episodes," Teixeira said. "When you don't breathe real well, running around and doing a lot of exercise isn't real good for you . . . There's a lot of coughing and choking. It's not a lot of fun."

Teixeira said he's not worried about his condition being an indication of a serious problem. "The specialists I've seen say it just may be a matter of time," Teixeira said. "But it's nothing to be worried about because all the tests are OK. It is what it is."

Chapman wows Joe

Girardi was impressed with the Reds' Cuban reliever Aroldis Chapman, whose fastball topped out at 100 mph twice while striking out Robinson Cano in a 1-2-3 eighth inning. "I've seen him on TV," Girardi said of the 24-year-old pitcher. "The kid's got a great arm. It seems like their plans are for him to be a starter, but they've had some injuries in the bullpen, and he's done really nicely for them."

Extra bases

Outfielder Brett Gardner (right elbow strain) is scheduled to be examined by a doctor Sunday to determine when he can start hitting again . . . Relief pitcher David Robertson (left oblique strain) hasn't thrown for six days. "We'll wait until day 10 and make a decision," Girardi said . . . The manager said Nick Swisher might return to the outfield if he decides to play Eric Chavez at first while Teixeira is out . . . Sunday is bat day with the first 10,000 fans 14 and under receiving a Curtis Granderson bat.