Yankees declined 1B Nick Johnson's $5.5 million option for 2011.

Nothing surprising here, as the Yankees bought out the option for $250,000. Another injury to Johnson's right wrist, this one resulting in two surgeries, limited him to just 72 at-bats this season. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman gambled and lost here. The 32-year-old will most likely have to accept an incentive-laden contract with a low guarantee this winter.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi announced Wednesday that Nick Johnson will require another surgery on his right wrist.

Johnson underwent a procedure on the wrist in mid-May and has been out ever since. Now he can be counted out for the rest of the year. The big man turned in a .167/.388/.306 batting line this season with four doubles, two homers and eight RBI over 72 at-bats. He has a $5.5 million mutual option for 2011 with a $250,000 buyout.

Nick Johnson (wrist) has resumed his rehab program in Tampa, Florida, but there is still no timetable for his return.

The Yankees acquired Lance Berkman at the trade deadline to fill in at DH and he's starting to produce after a rough initial arrival. Johnson, if he returns this season, will probably be a backup or late-innings pinch-hitter. He was batting .167/.388/.306 before landing on the disabled list in early May with a wrist injury that eventually required surgery.

Nick Johnson felt pain while swinging a bat Thursday and is headed back to New York to be reevaluated.

Johnson underwent surgery on his right wrist in mid-May and was hoping to return to the Yankees in about three weeks. That timetable may have to be scratched if more damage is revealed. We should all know more when the Yankees medical team takes a look at him Friday.

Nick Johnson (wrist) will begin hitting off a tee this week.

That's the plan, at least. Johnson has been sidelined since early May with a wrist injury that eventually required surgery and is at least three weeks from returning to live action. The designated hitter was batting 167/.388/.306 before hitting the disabled list on May 8.

Nick Johnson is scheduled to take 20 dry swings with a light fungo bat Saturday afternoon.

It's also possible he'll hit up to 20 balls off of a tee. If he feels well after that, Johnson, who is recovering from wrist surgery, will leave for High-A Tampa to continue his rehab. The first baseman/DH isn't close to being ready to play in games, as this is just the beginning of his baseball activity. Manager Joe Girardi says that Johnson is "weeks" from rejoining the team and that "this is a process we understand is going to take a while." Given his history, we wouldn't expect to see Johnson at least until August, and perhaps not even then.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi acknowledged Thursday that Nick Johnson (wrist) is still a long way from swinging a bat.

"I have not been given a date when he's going to pick up a bat, and usually that's when I know we're getting close," Girardi said. Johnson had surgery on his wrist in May and isn't expected back until mid-July.

Nick Johnson is no longer wearing a brace on his surgically-repaired right wrist, however he hasn't been cleared to begin hitting.

Johnson underwent surgery on his right wrist last month and isn't expected to return until sometime in July. The Yankees have shuffled various players out of the designated hitter spot in his absence and will likely continue to do so until they get a better idea of how Johnson is progressing.

Yankees transferred DH Nick Johnson from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list.

Johnson underwent surgery on his right wrist on Tuesday and isn't expected to be back until sometime in July. The timeline is subject to change, of course, but this roster move won't do anything to prevent him returning once he's ready.

Nick Johnson underwent successful surgery Tuesday on his right wrist.

The procedure was designed to remove inflamed tissue from Johnson's troublesome right wrist, and it did just that. He won't be able to pick up a bat for the next four-to-six weeks and probably won't be back in a Yankees uniform before mid-July. But it certainly could have been worse. The Yankees plan to be creative and flexible with who mans the designated hitter role.

Nick Johnson confirmed that he will undergo wrist surgery, most likely on Tuesday.

It will be four to six weeks before he'll be able to pick up a bat again. "This is not a quick fix," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. Expect Girardi to use a variety of players in the designated hitter spot in his lineup, such as Alex Rodriguez on Monday. Juan Miranda could get an extended look against right-handers.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that DH Nick Johnson will have surgery Tuesday on his right wrist and is likely out until July.

Apparently the cortisone shot didn't do the trick. Johnson has been struggling with inflammation in his right wrist for about two weeks now and will have the issue solved Tuesday with a surgical procedure. He was batting just .167 in 72 at-bats this year, but still had a .388 on-base percentage. His absence means more time for all of the Yankees' backups, as they can get flexible with who plays DH each night.

Nick Johnson (wrist) may need surgery to removed inflamed tissue in his right wrist that has been causing him discomfort.

Johnson isn't expected to return before the beginning of June anyway, but if he needs surgery, he'll miss another month or so. The Yankees are hoping that a cortisone shot will help relieve the inflammation enough that Johnson can play through it, but they won't know for sure for another few weeks. Johnson was hitting .167/.388/.306 before heading to the DL on May 8.

Yankees placed DH Nick Johnson on the 15-day disabled list with an inflamed tendon in his right wrist.

Johnson lasted a month before hitting the disabled list, but it was almost inevitable that he'd end up there at some point. He had an MRI Saturday back in New York to determine if the injury is related to the surgery he had on the same wrist in 2008, which it does not appear to be. He'll still be out several weeks according to the team. Kevin Russo was called up to fill his roster spot, but Marcus Thames will likely be the man who gets Johnson's at-bats.

The Yankees will likely place Nick Johnson (wrist) on the disabled list.

Scott Boras smiles. Johnson has reportedly been dealing with some discomfort in his surgically-repaired wrist over the past few weeks. He will head back to New York on Saturday for an MRI, so the Yankees are expected to make a roster move before Saturday's game.

Nick Johnson left Friday's game against the Red Sox with a sore right wrist.

Nothing new to hear Johnson is hurt, but what is concerning is that it's the same wrist that ruined his 2008 season. Marcus Thames replaced him in the lineup.

Nick Johnson went 3-for-3 with a homer and two walks in the Yankees' 6-4 win over the Orioles on Wednesday.

Finally a big game for Johnson. He hadn't homered or turned in a multihit game since April 13, and his average was sitting at .134 coming into today. Of course, he's been drawing walks all along. He's now hitting .171/.396/.314.

Nick Johnson is back in the starting lineup on Wednesday.

Derek Jeter was the designated hitter in Tuesday's game, pushing Johnson to the bench.

Nick Johnson is out of the starting lineup against the Orioles on Thursday.

No word on if he tweaked his back, but Marcus Thames will be the designated hitter against the lefty Brian Matusz.

Nick Johnson is back in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

Johnson walked in a pinch-hit appearance on Tuesday night, but this will be his first start since last Friday due to a stiff back.