Mark Teixeira Placed On DL, Kelly Johnson To First Base

Mar 27, 2014; Bradenton, FL, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira (25) warms up before the start of the spring training exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira was placed on the 15-day disabled list after straining his right hamstring in the second inning of Friday’s 7-3 Yankees win over the Blue Jays. The injury was sustained while chasing a foul ball. After he was removed from the game, Kelly Johnson moved across the diamond to first base, Yangervis Solarte moved from second to third base, and Brian Roberts entered the game as the second baseman.

With no legitimate back-up first baseman, Kelly Johnson will likely take over the position until Teixeira returns. Yangervis Solarte will likely play third base in the mean time.

With this injury, the Yankees had an open spot on the roster, which they gave to catcher Austin Romine, who caught 60 games for the team in 2013.

Teixeira’s injury is a major blow to the Yankees, who don’t have much infield depth as it is, especially at first base. Now they must rely on Johnson, who has only played three career games at first. They also lost a key bat in their lineup as Teixeira provides a lot of power from both sides of the plate (80+RBI from 2009-2012).

The Yankees had better hope that Teixeira doesn’t have any setbacks as this loss provides a major hole in the lineup and at first base. They also need to keep their fingers crossed that Kelly Johnson can stay healthy for the next few weeks as the team has nobody else on the roster who can play first base.