Mark Teixeira: I came back 'too early' from calf injury

BOSTON -- Mark Teixeira didn't exactly see Monday's MRI result as good news.

"It was 10-14 [days] the first time, I came back at 12 [days]," Teixeira said before Tuesday night's game. "It was too early."

Teixeira aggravated the left calf injury that kept him out 10 games -- Aug. 28-Sept. 7 -- diving into first base trying to beat out a double play ball that ended Saturday night's game. He did not play Sunday and was evaluated by team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad and had an MRI on Monday. The prognosis was that Teixeira suffered no new injury but had "irritated" the calf and would not be available for 10-14 days.

It would have been worse to hear he was done for the season, but Teixeira said he couldn't say for certain that can be ruled out.

"I really have no idea," he said. "I'm confident I'm going to work really hard to try and play again but I really have no idea . . . I really don't know what 10-14 means because 12 didn't work the last time."

Joe Girardi said he expects Teixeira back in the two-week time frame and certainly in the postseason, should the Yankees qualify. Nick Swisher, as was the case in Teixeira's previous absence, will get the majority of time at first and Steve Pearce, who started there Tuesday night, will start some, as well.

Pettitte next week?

Andy Pettitte got through another test Monday, a bullpen and PFP (pitcher's fielding practice) session at the Stadium before heading to Boston. He will throw a simulated game Wednesday and Girardi said "it's conceivable" the lefthander will be back in the rotation early next week, perhaps Tuesday in what would be David Phelps' turn.

"As far as I'm concerned, I feel like I would be ready," Pettitte said. "I want to, I want to go ahead and just pitch, but obviously, it's not up to me, it's up to them to make that decision."

Extra bases

Ivan Nova threw a simulated game Tuesday afternoon and though Girardi said no decision had been made, it seems likely he'll take Freddy Garcia's spot in the rotation Saturday . . . Teixeira said he had not yet heard from MLB regarding his critical comments regarding the umpires late Saturday night, meaning the first baseman likely avoided a fine . . . Alex Rodriguez came in 8-for-26 with two homers and six RBIs since returning from the DL on Sept. 3. "We need him to be a presence," Girardi said of the third baseman's importance with Teixeira out.

With David Lennon