Mark Teixeira doubled home Nick Swisher and Curtis Granderson

Teixeira focusing on 'long haul'

Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira is notoriously a slow starter at the beginning of the season. But even his current pace is uncommon for him. Teixeira, who has been hampered by a bronchial illness for most of the year, owns a .227 batting average with five home runs through 39 games. In his previous three seasons with New York, Teixeira has averaged a .258 clip with 21 homers during the first half. "I never really worry about the numbers because every year they’re there," Teixeira told The Journal News. "At the end of the year I’ll put my stats up against any power hitter in baseball."

Analysis: After missing three starts because of a bronchial illness, Teixeira was dropped to seventh in the batting order on Monday for the first time since May 2004. He went 1 for 4 with a ninth-inning double, his first extra-base hit over his past five games place. "You play 162 games a year for as long as I have, you’re always looking at ways to get better," Teixeira said. "But I’ve always worried about the long haul and the team’s success. By doing that, at the end of the year, my stats are always good." Fantasy owners hope Teixeira's assessment holds up as he attempts to return to his superstar status.

Lineup shakeup can't get Yankees in order

SO JOE Girardi thought sliding Mark Teixeira from the No. 5 slot down to No. 7 in the batting order before the game against Kansas City on Monday night might somehow jump-start the slumping slugger and perhaps jolt the other slumbering Bombers.

Teixeira (illness) went 1-for-4 with a double Monday as the

Teixeira (illness) went 1-for-4 with a double Monday as the Yankees fell to the Royals, 6-0.

Spin: It was good to see Teixeira back in the lineup Monday, but he did strike out two more times. He's hitting only .227 this season and while he's a notoriously slow starter, his batting average has decreased in each season since joining the Yankees in 2009. He still holds significant value due to his production numbers, but it looks like he will never be the high-average hitter again that he was early in his career.