Tex's problem: Damaged vocal cords

For Mark Teixeira, it was mystery solved. Finally.

The first baseman, bedeviled by a persistent hacking cough since the second week of April, visited an ear, nose and throat specialist Thursday at Columbia Presbyterian. The doctor performed an endoscopy -- which entails putting a camera down the esophagus -- and said he has damaged vocal cords.

"She found nerve damage to my vocal cords, caused by the initial illness two months ago," Teixeira said.

In other words, the specialist said, some of his more severe coughing fits triggered the damage. "That's why all of my blood tests were clear, that's why my chest X-rays were clear," said Teixeira, who had seen several doctors, including a chest specialist in mid-May who diagnosed him with "inflamed bronchial airways" and prescribed the non-anabolic steroid Prednisone, which had little impact.

"When you have damaged vocal cords," Teixeira said the ear, nose and throat specialist told him, "you're always having a cough-gag reflex. So it's actually really good news for me because we think we've found the reason for all this. She gave me some medicine that will hopefully calm the nerve down. It kind of puts my mind at ease."

After he received two games off May 18 and 19, Teixeira's cough seemed to improve. But he said it was not a dramatic change, the reason for seeing the specialist Thursday.

"It's still there. My voice isn't where it needs to be," he said. "I can't yell out on the field, and as a first baseman, communicating with your pitcher, communicating with your catcher . . . You want to be able to yell, use your voice."

He later added: "You're always playing through something, but two months with a really bad cough, that's just not normal. I'm really glad I got to figure out what's going on."

Gardner to CharlestonBrett Gardner (strained right elbow) took batting practice Thursday and will head to Class A Charleston to play in a rehab game Friday. Joe Girardi said the outfielder felt some "stiffness" in his elbow after his appearance in an extended spring game Wednesday but felt "very good" Thursday.

Girardi said there was "a little concern" initially in hearing of the stiffness. "But the fact he felt better today makes me feel good," he said.

Rehab game for Robby?

David Robertson (strained left oblique) threw a 25-pitch batting practice session yesterday. If the reliever reports Friday that he feels good, Girardi said he could appear in a rehab game Sunday.

"He looked OK," Girardi said. "The next decision is, does he throw in a game or do we have him do one more batting practice? I'm sure all the powers that be will make that decision pretty quick."

Garcia on leaveFreddy Garcia was placed on bereavement leave after the death of his grandfather. To replace Garcia, who is headed to Venezuela to be with his family, the Yankees brought up former Met Ryota Igarashi, claimed off waivers from the Blue Jays May 29. "He's a guy that can give you up to 50 pitches but he can also be a one-inning guy," Girardi said. "He's kind of a power guy, so he's going to get an opportunity over the next few days."

Extra basesJoba Chamberlain tweeted Thursday that he will throw a bullpen session Friday . . . The Yankees will pay tribute to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation and the United States Armed Forces Saturday before and during the game against the Mets. As part of the 12th annual Yankee Stadium Military Appreciation Ceremony, the Black Team of the U.S. Army Golden Knights will parachute into the Stadium.