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MLB Notes: With Carlos Beltran injured, Joe Girardi sounding more concerned

New York Yankees' Carlos Beltran is out of the starting lineup with a tight right hamstring. (Kathy Willens / Associated Press)
Associated Press

With the Yankees a season-high nine games back in the A.L. East and Carlos Beltran out of the starting lineup because of a leg injury, New York manager Joe Girardi sounds more concerned about a slow start that has turned into a half season of struggles.

After improving to one game over .500 last weekend – their season high was 4-2 in April – the Yankees (37-39) had lost three straight going into Wednesday’s game against the Texas Rangers.

“There’s a sense of urgency,” Girardi said. “As days tick away, you start to run out of time, and you don’t want to bury yourself.

“Baltimore is playing extremely well. Boston has run into a few bumps here, but they’ve played well. Toronto’s played well. And so you can’t mess around too long and expect to be there.”

The 39-year-old Beltran left Tuesday’s game in the first with a tight right hamstring. Girardi said he was worried and was not sure whether Beltran would be available to pinch hit.

“It’s not as sore as it was last night,” the manager said. “I don’t think I’m going to have Belt tomorrow, either.”

Beltran is the Yankees’ top batter, hitting .297 with 19 homers and 53 RBIs.

“You want to feel good that when you put him out there he’s going to be OK,” Girardi said, “but in the situation that we’re in, you can’t necessarily always wait as long as you want.”

Slumping Alex Rodriguez, benched against right-handed starters earlier this week, replaced Beltran as the Yankees designated hitter. New York starts a trip Friday with an interleague series against the Padres – meaning there will be no DH.

“It’s probably easy to manage if he’s DHing, but we’re going to San Diego, so that’s a concern,” Girardi said.

First baseman Mark Teixeira, who started four straight games after coming off the disabled list, was given a night off from the starting lineup.

Girardi said he did not want to start Teixeira in five consecutive games following his knee injury. Rob Refsnyder replaced him at first.

“This kid’s had to adapt to a lot: a couple different position changes,” Girardi said. “But he’s really pushed himself on here because he’s made himself more versatile and he gives you really good at-bats and runs the bases well.”

Yankees to give plaque to Rivera

The Yankees will dedicate a plaque to retired reliever Mariano Rivera in Monument Park during a ceremony before their game against Tampa Bay on Aug. 14.

Rivera helped the Yankees win five World Series titles and set big league records with 652 regular-season saves and 42 postseason saves during a career that spanned 1995-2013. New York retired his No. 42 during his final season – it had been retired through Major League Baseball in 1997 on the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s breaking the big league color barrier, but players using the number at the time were allowed to wear it for the rest of their careers.

New York made the announcement Wednesday, when it also said Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams and Tino Martinez will be among the players attending an on-field reunion before the Aug. 13 game to celebrate the team’s 1996 World Series title.

Clearing the bases

The Royals placed CF Lorenzo Cain on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain. Rookie OF Brett Eibner was recalled from Triple-A Omaha for his third stint with the team this season. … Yu Darvish (shoulder) threw 46 pitches in a simulated game and could return to the Texas Rangers’ rotation shortly after the All-Star break. … Nationals closer Jonathan Papelbon (right intercostal strain) threw a simulated game and is headed to Double-A Harrisburg for a rehab assignment. Washington also signed veteran starter Mat Latos to a minor league contract. … White Sox OF Melky Cabrera aggravated a right wrist injury during Chicago’s 4-0 loss to Minnesota and will miss a couple of days with a mild sprain.