Yankees send ailing Teixeira to DL with leg injury

The New York Yankees finally placed slugger Mark Teixeira on the 15-day disabled list Friday after tests performed earlier this week revealed a deep bone bruise on his right shin.

The transaction is retroactive to Aug. 27, making Teixeira eligible to return for the Yankees' pivotal three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays next weekend. However, based on general manager Brian Cashman's comments earlier this week, it's unlikely Teixeira will be ready to return when first eligible.

"(His leg) just hasn't been healing in any way, shape or form," Cashman said. "The biggest concern right now is when will this thing heal, and I don't have any answer on that."

In a corresponding roster move, the team recalled reliever Nick Rumbelow from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Teixeira, who suffered the injury Aug. 17 when he fouled a ball off his leg, is hitting .255/.357/.548 with a team-leading 31 home runs in 111 games. The veteran first baseman told reporters Friday that he believes "100 percent" he'll return before the end of the season.

While the loss of Teixeira represents a major blow for the wild card-leading Yankees, rookie Greg Bird continues to perform solidly in his absence. Bird's managed a productive .762 OPS - including an impressive 1.318 mark against lefties - with three homers and 12 RBIs in 18 games.

Manager Joe Girardi has also indicated the Yankees could use Alex Rodriguez at first base in an emergency, particularly when facing left-handed pitching.

The Yankees entered Friday 1 1/2 games back of the Blue Jays in the American League East.