Yankees activate Alex Rodriguez from 15-day disabled list

NEW YORK --The New York Yankeeshave one aging slugger returning, while another will be shelved for a few more days.

Designated hitterAlex Rodriguez, 40, is off the disabled list as he is fully recovered from his right hamstring injury. He will bat fifth on Thursday againstthe Toronto Blue Jays.

First basemanMark Teixeira, 35, will be out for at least the next three days after having a set of cortisone shots in his injured neck. Teixeira, who missed Wednesday night's game, had shots for his neck two weeksago, as well.

Teixeira, a free agent at the end of the year, is hitting .195 with three homers and 12 RBIs. His OPS is .686. "I just can't move it," Teixeira said. "It's painful."

Teixeira is hoping the shots loosen up his neck and that he can play at Tampa Bay on Sunday. Teixeira already missed Wednesday's game with the injury.

On Thursday, manager Joe Girardi started backup catcherAustin Romine against Blue Jays lefty J.A. Happ. Dustin Ackleyis Girardi's other main first-base option.At Triple-A, the Yankees haveNick Swisher, but hehas struggled at the plate.

The Yankees have played well in Rodriguez' absence, winning 14 of 21 games without him compared to eight of 24 games with him.

A-Rod is hitting .194 with five homers and 12 RBIs. His OPS is .719. In A-Rod's absence,Carlos Beltranexcelled at DH, while the Yankees' defense improved withAaron Hicksstarting in right for Beltran.

"He is my DH," Girardi said of Rodriguez. "We DH Carlos, as well. We felt that [A-Rod] maybe wore down at the end of last year. The chances of me playing him seven, eight days in a row are probably not very good. But right now my plan is for him to be my DH. Carlos will play right field and DH, as well."