Mattingly’s Wrist Becomes Sore Spot for the Yankees : Baseball: Star slugger goes into a 13-for-71 hitting slump because he is hurting.

As Don Mattingly asserted the past couple days, his questionable back and groin are feeling fine. It turns out that the problem hampering Mattingly in recent days is a sore right wrist.

There had to be an explanation for how he lost his touch so quickly. Mattingly, 13 for 71 heading after Wednesday night’s game against the Texas Rangers, has seen his average drop from .315 to .295.

Manager Buck Showalter said Mattingly’s wrist pain is worrisome enough that a cortisone shot was considered for him Thursday in Kansas City. Showalter is a little leery about Mattingly getting the shot because it could cause him to miss the entire weekend series against the Royals. Mattingly does not want to miss games during the stretch drive but he said he would come out if it prevented him from helping the team.

“You have to use your judgment,” Mattingly said. “Even though it would take a lot to get me out of the lineup, you don’t want to be stupid. I’m not going to go out there unless I can do some things.”

Mattingly did not take batting practice the past two days in hopes of seeing some improvement, and he said he has noticed some. Mattingly rightly denied in interviews Tuesday that his back and groin were major concerns, but he did not broach the subject of his wrist.

Surprised at first the wrist injury that has been bothering him for a week became public knowledge, Mattingly said, “I don’t think it’s anything worth talking about. I’m playing, and that’s it. I don’t think it’s the time to talk about injuries if I’m playing. I feel like I’m getting a lot better.”

Mattingly’s injury is merely one of several concerns that has cropped up in recent days. Scott Kamieniecki experienced renewed hamstring pain during a workout Tuesday and his next start will have to be pushed back to Sunday or Monday. Conveniently though, Kamieniecki’s injury allowed Showalter to push ace Jimmy Key back, meaning he will start against the other two contenders in the AL East, Toronto and Baltimore. The juggling continues.