Mark Teixeira scratched from WBC with wrist injury

Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports | USATODAY

PHOENIX -- New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira left Team USA and headed to New York on Tuesday to have his strained right wrist examined.

Teixeira was diagnosed with a strained wrist after batting swings in the batting cage, but original X-rays were negative, according to MLB officials. He's expected to be sidelined a week to 10 days and will be out of the tournament.

He will be evaluated in New York on Wednesday by Yankees team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad along with Dr. Melvin Rosenwasser.

Team USA manager Joe Torre is expected to name a replacement for Teixeira on Wednesday. They play their first game in the WBC at 9 p.m. ET Friday against Mexico at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Teixeira was the only everyday first baseman on the roster, with Ben Zobrist and Joe Mauer scheduled to be the backups. Torre could choose Paul Konerko of the Chicago White Sox to be the replacement, but no decision has been made.

The injury was heartbreaking to Teixeira, who was playing in his third WBC, but the first for Torre, the former Yankee manager.

"I really wanted to play for Joe Torre,'' Teixeira told USA TODAY Sports. "That's a special thing for a Yankee to play for Joe Torre.

"We'd love to win this tournament for him.''

This was the latest injury for the Yankees this spring. They already are without outfielder Curtis Granderson for two months with a broken forearm, pitcher Phil Hughes (bulging disk) and shortstop Derek Jeter hasn't played since breaking his ankle last October. They are even without GM Brian Cashman, who broke his leg and dislocated his ankle Monday while skydiving.