Yanks “Tex” to retire, end of this season

NEW YORK (AP) €” Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira says he plans to retire at the end of the season.

Slowed by injuries, the 36-year-old switch-hitting first baseman is batting .198 with 10 homers and 27 RBIs. A three-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner, he is in the final season of a $180 million, eight-year contract. His 404 home runs are fifth among switch-hitters, trailing only Mickey Mantle (536), Eddie Murray (504), Chipper Jones (468) and Carlos Beltran (415).

Greg Bird, a 23-year-old who missed this season following shoulder surgery, is projected by the Yankees as Teixeira’s successor.