With Raul Ibanez's signing official, Eric Chavez could be next. Yankees GM Brian Cashman has said it is not guaranteed, but on Tuesday Joe Girardi made it sound as if it were inevitable.

Girardi, in talking about how he could use his DHs and rotate his infielders and outfielders, said this:

"If you wanted to DH Tex, you could move Swish to first or you could put Chavez at first," Girardi said.

Wally immediately asked, "So you have Chavez, too?"

"Well, if he shows up," Girardi said. "We don't have him. There has been talk about that we might get him. That's not official."

When asked if he had a good feeling on Chavez's return, Girardi said, "I would like to have him back, in a sense. I thought he was productive for us and he gives me flexibility."

After Girardi spoke, Cashman said they were not closer to signing Chavez. We'll see. A source with direct knowledge of the team's plans said the team expected to sign him.

INJURY UPDATES: Reliever George Kontos hurt his oblique throwing and is expected to be out a couple of weeks. ... Joba Chamberlain will throw off the mound for the first time on Wednesday.