Yankees Get Martin, Swisher Back For Stretch Run; A-Rod Friday?
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — Russell Martin was back in the Yankees' lineup on Tuesday night, Nick Swisher was back in the outfield and Alex Rodriguez may not be that far away.
"It's seemed like it all came at once with a few of those guys," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.
Martin returned for the AL East leaders in Seattle after missing the previous two games and part of a third after taking a foul ball of his right thumb last Saturday against the Angels.
He went 0 for 3, but gunned down a runner at second to end the game and secure Mariano Rivera's 600th career save. Swisher batted 1 for 4.
Martin's return is even more important with backup catcher Francisco Cervelli being placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, retroactive to last Thursday following a hard collision at home plate with Baltimore's Nick Markakis.
Cervelli has been diagnosed with a concussion and is back home in New York resting.
"I think it's really hard to predict what's going to happen because concussions today have become so unpredictable as to what is going to happen," Girardi said. "Sometimes you think you're getting a guy back and then he plays one game and goes right back to the symptoms."
Swisher hasn't been in the outfield for the past four games with tendinitis flaring up in his left elbow. He sat out three straight games before playing Monday night's series opener in Seattle at first base. He tested out his elbow throwing Tuesday afternoon and felt healthy enough for Girardi to play him in the outfield.
Rodriguez missed his fourth straight game on Tuesday with lingering soreness in his left thumb. He'll sit out the final game of the series in Seattle and following an off day on Thursday is expected to be ready for the series opener in Toronto.
"I think Friday is reasonable with Alex and we'll go from there," Girardi said.
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