Mark Teixeira Looking to Return Next Friday

After dropping two games to the Colorado Rockies, two games in which the New York Yankees absolutely should have won, skipper Joe Girardi is once again left searching for answers.

Might he have one in veteran first-baseman Mark Teixeira?

According to Mark Feisand of the New York Daily News, Teixeira, who has been on the disabled list since June 4th with a cartilage tear in his right knee, is hoping to return next Friday when the Yankees open up a  weekend series at home against the Minnesota Twins.

“I feel really good,” Teixeira told Feinsand “I’m actually surprised how good I feel. The (Synvisc and cortisone) shots really seemed to work. It’s all about lubricating the joints so it doesn’t catch. It’s worked so far.”

On Thursday afternoon the 36-year old first baseman is set to participate in batting practices at Target Field. Should that go well, Tex will participate in minor league rehab games in AA-Trenton on Tuesday and Wednesday, and if all goes according to plan, he should be given the green light to return Friday night in the Bronx.

While he might not provide the Yankees with an offensive boost, especially because he’s currently batting .180/.271/.263 and has gone a career-low 142 at-bats without a home run, he should still provide the Yankees with a huge upgrade on the defensive side of the diamond. A platoon of Rob Refsnyder and the newly acquired Ike Davis doesn’t even come half as close to the defense Teixeira is capable of providing.

Speaking about getting an offensive boost, hopefully the Yankees will get Carlos Beltran back soon as well. After sitting out of the lineup for a second straight game and receiving a cortisone shot in his left knee, the veteran outfieldersaid he felt “60 percent better”, and that he plans on returning back to the Yankees as early as Thursday.