Mark Teixeira playing through broken toe

Mark Teixeira revealed to the New York Post that he’s been playing with a broken pinkie toe on his right foot, the result of a HBP from Oakland’s Vin Mazzaro on Aug. 31. “Every step I take it stings,’' Teixeira told the paper. “It’s worse on defense because I have to move side to side and shuffle.’' Teixeira has slumped while playing with the injury. He hit .289/.355/.629 with nine homers in August, but through 12 games in September, he’s at .209/.370/.256. He has just two extra-base hits in 43 at-bats, both of them doubles. “I can’t work out a lot, I am taking less ground balls and less swings in the cage,’' he explained. If Teixeira continues to struggle with the pain, he could start alternating off days with Alex Rodriguez down the stretch.