Notes

YANKEES Injured Yankees on mend

TAMPA, Fla. - Injured New York Yankees infielders Mark Teixeira and Kevin Youkilis are ready to start minor-league rehab assignments.

Both players took part in extended spring training game Tuesday, then said they were leaving the Yankees’ minor league complex in Florida to join Class AA Trenton.

Teixeira has been sidelined since early March by a right wrist injury. Youkilis has missed almost 30 games with a lumbar spine sprain.

Left-hander Andy Pettitte threw 75 pitches during a five-inning simulated game, his first game-type action since going on the 15-day disabled list May 17 because of a strained muscle in his upper back.

Third baseman Alex Rodriguez, coming back from hip surgery in January, has resumed taking on-field batting practice as he moves into his fourth week of baseball activities.

CARDINALS

Wacha makes debut Thursday

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Cardinals will promote top pitching prospect Michael Wacha to start in his major league debut Thursday against the Kansas City Royals.

The Cardinals lead the major leagues with a 33-17 record despite numerous injuries on the pitching staff. They filled rotation holes with less celebrated rookies John Gast and Tyler Lyons earlier in the season amid speculation they didn’t want to start the service time clock on the 21-year-old right-hander.

The 6-6, 210-pound Wacha was the Cardinals’ first-round draft pick and the 19th overall selection last year out of Texas A&M. He is 4-0 with a 2.05 ERA that leads the Pacific Coast League in nine starts for Class AAA Memphis, holding opponents to a .187 batting average in his first pro season.

Wacha will be the eighth rookie pitcher to debut with the Cardinals this season. General Manager John Mozeliak had cited Wacha’s lack of professional experience in the decision to promote others earlier.

INDIANS Perez sidelined for week

CLEVELAND - Indians closer Chris Perez has tendinitis in his right shoulder and will be shut down from throwing for a week.

Perez underwent an MRI in Cleveland on Monday, one day after he felt a “pinch” in his shoulder while pitching in the ninth inning of an appearance in Boston. The Indians said the two-time All-Star has “mild” tendinitis of his rotator cuff. The plan is for Perez not to throw for at least five days and then be re-evaluated.

Perez blew a three-run lead in Sunday’s game.

While Perez is sidelined, Vinnie Pestano will take over closing duties for the Indians, who had lost four consecutive and six of seven entering Tuesday’s game in Cincinnati.

Perez, who was slowed by a sore shoulder in training camp, is 2-1 with a 4.32 ERA and 6 saves in 16 2/3 innings over 17 appearances.

BLUE JAYS Soreness slows Morrow

TORONTO - Blue Jays right-hander Brandon Morrow left Tuesday’s game against Atlanta after just two innings with soreness in his forearm.

Right-hander Ramon Ortiz replaced Morrow, who allowed 4 runs, 2 earned, and 4 hits, including 1 home run. He walked none and struck out two. Of his 47 pitches, just three were above 90 mph.

A Blue Jays spokesman said the injury was not considered serious and that Morrow was not expected to miss his next start.

Morrow did not pitch between May 5 and May 18 because of neck and back soreness. He came in 2-3 with a 5.50 ERA in nine starts.

PADRES

Catcher Grandal reinstated

SEATTLE - The San Diego Padres have reinstated catcher Yasmani Grandal from the restricted list after he missed the first 50 games of the season while serving a suspension for a positive testosterone test.

The Padres made the move official Tuesday before completing a two-game series in Seattle. The Padres optioned catcher John Baker to Class AA Tucson and designated for assignment infielder Edinson Rincon.

Grandal was part of San Diego’s second-half resurgence in 2012, hitting .297 with 8 home runs and 36 RBI in 60 games. Grandal was allowed to play 10 games at Class AAA, where he hit .306 with 3 doubles and 2 RBI in 9 games.