Mark Teixeira Injury: Updates on Yankees Star's Neck and Return

New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira is day-to-day after missing Wednesday's game with a neck injury. 

Continue for updates.

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Teixeira to Miss 3 Games

Thursday, May 26

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Teixeira will miss the next three games after getting a cortisone shot in his neck.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi discussed Tex's status following the team's game against the Toronto Blue Jays Wednesday, via YES Network:

Teixeira turned in an impressive 2015 campaign in the middle of New York’s order, so this is a difficult loss if he is out beyond the anticipated three days. What’s more, it is another physical setback for the slugger who missed nearly half of August and all of September and October last year with a fracture in his leg.

Teixeira played 111 games and drilled 31 home runs and tallied 79 RBI before the injury in 2015. It marked the ninth year of his career he reached the 30-homer plateau, which underscores the fact he is one of the most proven and consistent offensive forces in the league.

However, the three-time All-Star's 36th birthday was April 11, and he is coming off a serious injury that forced him to miss the most important part of last season. It is fair to worry about his long-term durability in the New York lineup given this latest issue.

The 2016 season has been a huge struggle for Teixeira too, as he is hitting just .195 with three home runs and 12 RBI.

Unfortunately for the Yankees, rookie Greg Bird—who saw most of the playing time at first base following Teixeira’s injury last year and hit 11 home runs—is out for the 2016 season with a torn labrum.

However, the Yankees do at least have some pieces outside of Bird to fill in at first base during Teixeira’s absence.

Chase Headley is a versatile veteran who provides manager Joe Girardi with options because of his ability to play either first or third base, which would allow Ronald Torreyes to play more frequently.

New York can also turn to Dustin Ackley as a versatile option to shoulder some of the first base load with Teixeira out. Ackley can play first base, second base or in the outfield and posted a solid .288 batting average in 23 games last season in pinstripes.

The Yankees still have enough players to remain alive in the battle for the American League East and a position in the playoffs, but it is difficult to envision them accomplishing their World Series goal without Teixeira hitting home runs in the middle of the order.