Yankees injury notes: Derek Jeter, Phil Hughes, Mark Teixeira

Jeter resumes throwing

Derek Jeter was cleared to play catch on Monday and hopes to step up his recovery efforts in the coming days, reports Andy McCullough of the Newark Star-Ledger. The club wants Jeter to play nine innings in back-to-back games before activating him from the disabled list, so the chances of him returning to the lineup April 6, when his DL stint can end, seems highly unlikely. Manager Joe Girardi has refused to put a timetable on the Captain's return, so Yankees fans will have to get used to Eduardo Nunez for the time being.

Hughes scheduled for rehab start

Phil Hughes is scheduled to start at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday and will join the Yankees in Cleveland next week if all goes according to plan, according to the Associated Press. The right-hander has been dealing with a bulging disc in his back since camp opened in mid-February and was placed on the 15-day DL to start the season. Hughes made a start last Wednesday and pitched another seven innings on Monday, so his back no longer appears to be an issue. David Phelps will start in Hughes' place for the Yankees on Saturday.

Tex to cast off brace

First baseman Mark Teixeira has been given the go-ahead to remove the brace from his right wrist (for most of the time) and begin strengthening exercises, reports Lou DiPietro of the YES Network. The tear in the slugger's wrist is reportedly "healing great," and Tex should be cleared to make bigger steps in his recovery when he visits the doctor again in a few weeks' time.

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