Mark Teixeira Heads Back to DL, Was He Activated Too Soon?
By Aaron Somers
Mark Teixeira is back on the disabled list and it’s not known how long he’ll be out. (Image Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports)
Mark Teixeira has officially been placed back on the disabled list thanks to an injury to his right wrist, according to a report by WFAN’s Sweeny Murti (passed on by MLB.com’s Joey Nowak). Teixeira felt some discomfort in the wrist during Saturday’s game at Los Angeles, prompting him to come out of the game in the 4th inning before returning to New York for further evaluation. An MRI exam failed to reveal a new tear in the surgically repaired tendon, but a return trip to the DL had appeared inevitable.
Teixeira appeared in just 15 games with the Yankees after missing the first two months of the season, batting .151/.270/.340 in 63 PA.
Ken Davidoff of The New York Post suggests that the team may have rushed to activate Teixeira from the DL and such a decision will ultimately cost the team from a financial standpoint. Because Teixeira’s injury originated during practice and preparations for the World Baseball Classic, the WBC was actually covering his salary while on the DL. Davidoff does the math and it would seem as though the WBC paid roughly $7.37 Million during the stretch that he was on the sidelines. Had he missed the entire season the WBC would have paid his full $22.5 Million salary. Once the team activated him, however, that effectively ended any obligation that the WBC held.
Even though Teixeira is back on the disabled list due to the same injury – or so it’s being perceived, at least – the Yankees are fully on the hook for the remainder of his salary this season. A figure that works out to roughly $15.1 Million. Davidoff suggests that the team should have waited, just in case, but they grew impatient. And now if Teixeira is forced to miss the remainder of the season the team has only themselves to blame.
No time table has been offered for Teixeira’s return, so until we know otherwise we have to assume that missing the remainder of the season could be a viable opportunity.
It’s also worth noting that the Yankees will now have to factor in Teixeira’s remaining salary into the budget for the remainder of the season, a factor which could limit their willingness to make a big splash at the trade deadline to address a need. Brian Cashman has done a solid job not tipping his hand regarding what his summer plans are, but he’s not one to simply stand by if there’s a deal to be made that will improve the team.