SIGH OF RELIEF
Beltran: Rib’s ‘tight’ but pain’s less
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Carlos Beltran said he was encouraged that the left rib cage problem that forced him out of Tuesday night’s game against the Angels didn’t worsen overnight.
“Yes, [Tuesday] they put a little patch on it to take the inflammation away a little bit,’’ Beltran said when asked if he was relieved with the way he felt the day after. “[Wednesday] I woke up and felt better. I feel tight, but I don’t feel the pain I felt right after the swing.’’
Beltran said he initially felt it Monday night before the game but played Monday and Tuesday. The swing he referenced came in the fifth inning Tuesday night when he fouled a ball off. He grimaced but stayed in the game to ground out. Then he exited.
Beltran said he was available to Joe Girardi to pinch hit Wednesday but never tested his injury in the batting cage. He wasn’t needed during the Yankees’ 31 win over the Angels.
“It was good to rest,’’ Beltran said.
“My preference is to win the game and not use Carlos,’’ said manager Girardi, who started the lefthanded hitting Garrett Jones in right field against Angels righty Matt Shoemaker and watched Jones homer.
Beltran said the plan is see the doctor [Thursday] and “probably get an MRI [exam].’’
Though the Yankees and Beltran are encouraged that he shouldn’t need a DL stint they promoted outfielder Taylor Dugas from Scranton/WilkesBarre. In seven games at SWB, he batted .182 (4for22) after hitting .200 (28for140) in 47 games for DoubleA Trenton.
Reliever Esmil Rogers was outrighted to SWB to make room for Dugas, who will likely be swapped for Ramon Flores Friday.
One night after not being able to be the DH for SingleA Tampa because of general fatigue in his legs Jacoby Ellsbury played center field Wednesday and went 1for3 with a single.
When he comes off the DL will be determined by how he feels. The Yankees still are holding out hope Ellsbury can return Friday against the Rays.
“We will see how he feels and evaluate. His legs are extremely important,’’ Girardi said of the center fielder/leadoff hitter who hasn’t played since May 19 because of a sprained right knee.
Ellsbury was the DH Monday night but Girardi said the running test Ellsbury had to take to start a rehab assignment took their toll.
Andrew Miller threw 20 pitches off a bullpen mound for the first time since going on the DL June 11 with a strained flexor muscle in the left forearm.
“He will throw again Saturday and we will go from there,’’ Girardi said. Braves lefthander Manny
Banuelos, a former top Yankees prospect, is scheduled to make his major league debut on Thursday.