NEW YORK, N.Y. - Mark Teixeira is back in the New York Yankees' lineup after missing seven games with a bruised right shin.

The All-Star first baseman was set to bat cleanup Tuesday night against Houston Astros ace Dallas Keuchel. Teixeira, injured last week when he fouled a ball off his shin, had a .359 on-base percentage and was leading the team with 31 homers and 79 RBIs.

In other news, injured pitcher CC Sabathia says he thinks he can return to the mound in September. The big left-hander received a second opinion on his arthritic right knee and was glad the exam revealed no new damage.

The struggling Sabathia was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday with inflammation. There is no timetable for his return, and manager Joe Girardi declined to speculate about what Sabathia's role might be if the 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner is able to pitch before the season ends.