Bad Luck Continues For Granderson, Yankees Place Outfielder On Disabled List

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (CBSNewYork/AP) — The New York Yankees have placed outfielder Curtis Granderson on the 15-day disabled list with a broken knuckle on his left pinky finger and recalled outfielder Brennan Boesch from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The moves were made before Saturday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.

Granderson was hit by Cesar Ramos' pitch in the fifth inning of Friday night's 9-4 win over the Rays. Although no official timeline for how long Granderson will be sidelined has been announced, manager Joe Girardi indicated Granderson could be lost for a minimum of four weeks.

"I think the feelings that we have right now, there's sadness for Curtis," Girardi said.

Granderson missed the first 38 games this season with a broken right forearm, the result of a hit by pitch in his first at-bat at spring training. Before his latest injury, he returned to the Yankees' lineup in mid-May. In 8 games this season, Granderson was batting .250 with 1 home run and 1 RBI.

"It's cruel," Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira said. "I had tears in my eyes saying bye to Curtis yesterday ... you really can't say anything. It's just so tough."

The Yankees have been hit hard by injuries this year. Teixeira, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte and Kevin Youkilis are among those on the disabled list.

Teixeira (wrist) played five innings of defense, and went 1 for 4 with a double and a sacrifice fly in his first extended spring training game Saturday at the Yankees' minor league complex in nearby Tampa. He had played in simulated games since Monday.

"It feels better, actually, to kind of get into a game," Teixeira said. "You have more of a rhythm. This is the second step after simulated games. You have to take these steps to get back from an injury."

Teixeira had a minor scare when a hard foul ball went past him while waiting to bat. He is scheduled to play for Double-A Trenton Wednesday and Thursday, and could rejoin the Yankees next weekend.

Youkilis (back) went 2 for 3 with two doubles, and played third for three innings in the extended spring game. His first defensive play was to record an out with a diving tag.

Youkilis is also nearing the start of a minor league rehab assignment.

Joba Chamberlain, out with a right oblique strain, pitched two innings in his third extended spring training game. He allowed three singles in his first inning, including a comebacker that went off his calf.

Chamberlain showed no discomfort after getting hit, and stayed in the game. The right-hander had a perfect second inning, that featured two strikeouts, in what may have been his final rehab outing.

Pettitte had a bullpen session and could pitch in a simulated game in the next few days. It was his first time throwing off a mound since going on the 15-day disabled list May 18 because of a strained left trapezius muscle in his upper back.

"I just threw my normal bullpen, and I felt good," Pettitte said. "I think we'll come in here tomorrow and see how it feels, and go from there."

Pettitte, who will turn 41 next month, may rejoin the rotation in early June.

Hiroki Kuroda, who left Wednesday night's game against Baltimore with a bruised right calf, also had a mound session and expects to make his next scheduled start.

"There's a little tightness, but it will be OK," Kuroda said through a translator.

It hasn't been determined if David Phelps, hit in the right forearm by Ben Zobrist's drive Friday night, will have his regular bullpen session Sunday.

"Woke up a little stiff and a little sore," Phelps said. "Nothing I didn't expect."

NOTES: The Yankees acquired LHP David Huff on waivers from Cleveland. In order to make room on the 40-man roster, LHP Francisco Rondon was designated for assignment. A corresponding 25-man roster move will be made when Huff joins the team.