Feliciano expects to be out 2 weeks

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Yankees left-hander Pedro Feliciano expects to miss two weeks because of upper arm-shoulder soreness.

Feliciano said on Monday that he still feels discomfort in his pitching arm, but that it shouldn't take an extended period for the injury to heal.

The reliever added that it hurts knowing he won't be with the team for Thursday's regular-season opener against Detroit.

"I have to take care of it,'' Feliciano said. "I heal quickly.''

Left-hander Steve Garrison and right-hander Luis Ayala are in-house candidates to replace Feliciano. Obtaining a player from outside the organization is also possible.

Also, the Yankees purchased the contract of infielder Eric Chavez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Chavez, signed to a minor league deal during the offseason, had a strong spring training and will be the backup for third baseman Alex Rodriguez and first baseman Mark Teixeira.

"We feel that he's healthy, and we feel it's a good bat in the day that we rest Alex or Tex,'' Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "You've got a pretty big bat there.''

Chavez has struggled with back and neck injuries the past few years while with Oakland.

Center fielder Curtis Granderson, out with a strained muscle on his right side, is scheduled to play in minor league games Tuesday and Wednesday. If the outfielder comes through it OK, he might be able to play in the season opener.

"If he gets through those two days, you would think he's ready to go,'' Girardi said. "So far, everything has gone in a positive direction, but, playing in a game is a bigger step than taking BP. BP is controlled.''

Granderson hit in a batting cage for the second consecutive day.

"Everything feels good,'' Granderson said. "Again, no steps back. Continue to move forward.''

Pitcher Kevin Millwood, signed to a minor league contract last week, threw in a batting cage because of rainy weather. The right-hander, who has a May 1 opt-out clause in his deal, will start with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

"I expect to get back in the big leagues and help the team win,'' Millwood said. "If I didn't feel like I could do that, I wouldn't be here. I'd be at home. I feel like I still can help a major league team win and get to wherever they want to go.''

NOTES: Backup C Francisco Cervelli (broken left foot) will stop using a protective boot on Tuesday and hopes to rejoin the team by May. ... LHP Damaso Marte (left shoulder) has resumed playing catch. He hopes to pitch before the season ends. ... RHPs Phil Hughes, Mariano Rivera, Joba Chamberlain and David Robertson are scheduled to pitch in minor league games on Tuesday.