MLB teams
Andrew Marchand, ESPN Senior Writer 9y

Mark Teixeira (bruised shin) back in lineup for Yankees

MLB, New York Yankees

NEW YORK -- After missing a full week with a bruised shin, Mark Teixeira is in the Yankees' lineup for Tuesday's game against the Houston Astros.

"He feels better," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.

Teixeira fouled a ball off his right shin on August 17. Teixeira and the Yankees were thankful nothing was broken and the team decided not to put him on the disabled list in the hope that he could return within two weeks. Teixeira leads the Yankees in home runs with 31 and RBIs with 79.

In his place, rookie Greg Bird played well, hitting .269 with two homers and six RBIs in the seven starts Teixeira missed.

Meanwhile, Yankees starter CC Sabathia thinks he could pitch again this season. Girardi, who normally doesn't speculate on the worst possibilities, said Monday it was "possible" that Sabathia's season could be over because of his surgically repaired and arthritic right knee. On Tuesday, Sabathia said he thought could be back by the second week of September.

Sabathia was forced to leave his start Sunday because his knee gave out after he began letting loose the past three starts. His velocity went up, but the pain became intolerable. Before those starts, Sabathia was trying to protect the knee.

Sabathia admitted he was surprised that the knee -- which forced him to miss most of last year -- did not force him onto the DL earlier in the year.

"Yeah, I hate to say that, but yeah," Sabathia said. "It's just one of those things. I'm a big guy. It's a grind every time I'm throwing. I just didn't feel right the other day. And I didn't want to chance it. I didn't want to hurt myself further, I guess, and I just felt like I needed to come out."

Sabathia said he would be willing to pitch out of the bullpen if he returns this year. Girardi was hesitant to define his role if he comes back. Sabathia is 4-9 with a 5.27 ERA on the season.

Sabathia is owed $25 million next season and $25 million in 2017 if he doesn't have a shoulder injury.

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