Touch 'Em All: Yankees' Mark Teixeira out eight to 10 weeks with wrist injury

Mark Teixeira is going to be out at least until early May with a strained right wrist tendon, the latest major injury setback for the New York Yankees.

New York general manager Brian Cashman gave the news after the Yankees were beaten, 8-2, by the Dominican Republic's World Baseball Classic team on Wednesday.

Teixeira was hurt swinging a bat Tuesday during warm-ups with the U.S. WBC team. Initially, Teixeira was expected to be out eight to 10 days, but he was examined by Yankees doctors in New York on Wednesday and a diagnosis of eight to 10 weeks was given.

Cashman said Teixeira would rest for four weeks before beginning rehabilitation.

It's the second major injury for the Yankees during spring training. Outfielder Curtis Granderson broke his right forearm when he was hit by a pitch Feb. 24. He also will be sidelined until early May.

In Port St. Lucie, Fla., Jonathon Niese struggled against Venezuela's all-star lineup, allowing four runs in the New York Mets' 14-10 loss to the World Baseball Classic squad playing its final exhibition before the start of the tournament.

Miguel Cabrera homered twice for Venezuela's starting lineup, which featured five 2012 all-stars at the top of the order. Elvis Andrus, Asdrubal Cabrera, Miguel Cabrera, Pablo Sandoval, and Carlos Gonzalez combined for 10 hits. . . . In Sarasota, Fla., Jake Arrieta allowed one unearned run in three innings and Russ Canzler had two home runs and drove in six runs as the Baltimore Orioles routed Spain, 19-7. . . . In Fort Myers, Fla., Angel Pagan led an all-star lineup for Puerto Rico by going 2 for 3 with an RBI in an 8-7 win over the Minnesota Twins.

In Glendale, Ariz., Andre Ethier hit a two-run homer in the first inning, and Dee Gordon a two-run double in the second, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 10-2 victory over Mexico. Matt Kemp was 0 for 3. Kemp, who is coming off shoulder surgery, is 0 for 11 this spring. . . . In Tempe, Ariz., Jered Weaver struck out five in three innings and top prospect Kaleb Cowart drove in three runs as the Los Angeles Angels beat Italy, 12-6.

The St. Louis Cardinals hired former great Willie McGee as a special assistant to the general manager focusing on the minor leagues.

The 54-year-old McGee served as a special instructor at spring training last month. McGee is in the franchise's top 10 in games played, triples, stolen bases, and pinch hits. He was a career .295 hitter over 18 seasons.

- Associated Press