Mark Teixeira and Kevin Youkilis returned from the disabled list together on May 31. Nineteen days later, both Teixeira and Youkilis are lost again at the same time.
Before the Yankees' game yesterday vs. the Dodgers in The Bronx was rained out, general manager Brian Cashman revealed Youkilis, who was already back on the DL with a lumbar sprain, has a herniated disk in his back that will require surgery tomorrow and cost him at least 10-12 weeks. At best, Youkilis figures to return in September, and there is a legitimate possibility he won't return at all this season.
Teixeira also returned to the 15-day DL with a strained right wrist. The slugging first baseman said he is hopeful he will return after 15 days.
"It's just inflammation," he said.
Teixeira essentially admitted that there is no objective reason to believe the wrist won't cost him more time even after he does come back.
" 'Cause I'm a positive thinker," he said when asked what makes him believe he won't be sidelined again. "I'm gonna hope for the best."
Yesterday's news is brutal for the Yankees, who recalled outfielder Zoilo Almonte to replace Teixeira on the roster but who will play Lyle Overbay at first base. Meanwhile, the third-base situation is even more worrisome. David Adams, who is in a 6-for-44 funk, figures to be at third base for the foreseeable future. Alex Rodriguez won't be back until after the All-Star break and also is facing a potential MLB suspension for alleged Biogenesis ties.
The Yankees could explore adding a third baseman via trade, but it appears to be a limited market.
"I've struggled the last couple of weeks. Now it's time to turn it around," Adams said. "For me, time is of the essence because I know if I don't do the job, they'll find someone who will."
"We're always looking to upgrade if we can, regardless of position," Cashman said. "But you have to keep in mind, too, about, yeah, we expect to get Alex back. As of right now, we're going with what we have and if we ever run into something that makes sense, then we'll look at that. But we'll keep going with what we've got."
Youkilis, whose surgery will be handled by California back specialist Robert Watkins, missed 30 games earlier this year with a lumbar spine sprain. If his timetable holds true, he could return as early as late August or as late as mid-September.
Teixeira missed the season's first 53 games with a torn ECU sheath, then left Saturday's game in Anaheim when he aggravated the wrist.
"I was worthless to the team right there," he said yesterday.
Teixeira said he altered his hitting mechanics because it was painful to swing the proper way. Thus, the switch hitter will attempt to re-find his mechanics during this DL stint.
"Give Kevin [Long, hitting coach] a lot of credit," Teixeira said, "because he said, 'Enough's enough, your mechanics are off, you need to figure this out.' "
Teixeira not only has to hope he can return in 15 days and hope he can fix his mechanics (and maintain them), but he also admitted he may need to sit one day per week when he comes back. Teixeira said he played 19 of 20 days before getting hurt.
"That's probably just too much," he said. "It's something that I might have to manage all year."
Teixeira said hitting right-handed
isn't an issue but doesn't think a platoon situation is feasible. He also ruled out the idea of batting righty against righty pitchers.
mark.hale@nypost.com
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