Yankees expect Mark Teixeira back Monday

Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira has been out of the lineup since Sept. 8 with a strained left calf. But he might be back in the lineup on Monday if things go as planned.

Teixeira is expected to be back Monday. (US Presswire)

Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira has been out of the lineup since Sept. 8 with a strained left calf. But he might return to the lineup on Monday if things go as planned. 

"We expect to see him in New York on Monday," manager Joe Girardi said (MLB.com). "He'll see the doctor tomorrow and see if he's cleared to play."

Teixeira had actually been out a few weeks before that Sept. 8 game, too, with the same calf injury. He attempted to play through it and instead aggravated it.

Teixeira, 32, is hitting .255/.336/.478 with 23 homers and 81 RBI in 120 games this season.

The Yankees have mostly used Nick Swisher (with either Andruw Jones or Raul Ibanez in the outfield) or Casey McGehee at first base with Teixeira down.

Obviously, getting Teixeira's power back in the lineup for the final series of the season would be big for the Yankees, as they fight to win the AL East over the Orioles.

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