Update: Chris Capuano suffers Grade II right quad strain

5:18pm: Capuano has been diagnosed with a Grade II right quad strain, the Yankees announced. They did not give a timetable for his return but it’s safe to say it’ll be a few weeks. Even after he is healthy enough to resume pitching, Capuano has to get stretched out to start.

1:40pm: During an in-game interview with YES, Brian Cashman said Capuano has a right quad strain and will go for an MRI this afternoon to determine the severity.

1:15pm: Projected fifth starter Chris Capuano left this afternoon’s Grapefruit League start with an apparent right leg injury after facing just two batters. He covered first base on a ground ball and appeared to hurt himself when he hit the bag. Here’s the play:

Capuano was removed from the game immediately but that’s not surprising. It’s Spring Training and they won’t risk anything. He was coming out no matter what. The Yankees have not yet said anything about the injury but we’ll pass along any information when it’s announced.

If there is any good news, it’s that Capuano is the most replaceable of the club’s rotation candidates. Adam Warren, Esmil Rogers, and Bryan Mitchell are considered the front-runners to step into the rotation should injury strike and I assume they’re first in line to replace Capuano if he has to miss an extended period of time. Off-days in April also mean the team can skip that rotation spot a few times early in the season.

Capuano, 36, had a 4.25 ERA (3.85 FIP) in 12 starts and 65.1 innings with New York last year. The Yankees re-signed him to a one-year deal worth $5M over the winter.