Alex Rodriguez is going on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right quadriceps, leaving the New York Yankees without two of their most important players.

Rodriguez joins injured catcher Jorge Posada on the DL. The Yankees are waiting for additional opinions on Posada’s ailing throwing shoulder before determining whether he needs surgery.

A three-time AL MVP, Rodriguez was sent for an MRI exam Tuesday that revealed a Grade 2 strain. He was put on the DL for the first time since July 2000 with Seattle, when he had a strained right knee.

This is Rodriguez’s fifth career trip to the disabled list.

“If it’s a Grade 2, it’s going to be at least the two weeks. That’s why we’re doing it,” general manager Brian Cashman said.

The Yankees said it hadn’t yet been determined whether Rodriguez would officially be placed on the disabled list Tuesday or Wednesday. Regardless, his stint on the DL can begin Tuesday because the team played without him—and Posada—in a 6-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers.

Rodriguez has been bothered by the injury since getting hurt April 20 in Baltimore. The third baseman missed three games last week, then returned for a four-game series at Cleveland. But he was removed for a pinch hitter in the eighth inning of Monday night’s 5-2 win over the Indians and said he felt a “pull” while running the bases.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said the team was surprised to learn the strain was so severe. Rodriguez was not available to reporters after Tuesday night’s loss.

“He’s a hard guy to replace,” Girardi said. “We have to find a way to get it done.”

Morgan Ensberg started in Rodriguez’s place at third base Tuesday night.

“Hopefully, it’ll be no more than the 15 days,” Cashman said. “But we’ve got to get it right.”

We expected this, so here it is:

From the NY Post

CLEVELAND - The Yankees are about to find out how valuable Jorge Posada is to them, and how long they will be without their All-Star catcher.

When Posada couldn't throw minutes before today's 1-0 win over the Indians at Progressive Field he was scratched and replaced by Jose Molina.

Afterward Posada went on the disabled list for the first time in his career because of a barking right shoulder he wants Dr. James Andrews to inspect. That could mean surgery, which could bring an extended absence.

Posada, who will undergo a second MRI exam (likely Tuesday), didn't start behind the plate from April 9 to April 22 because of what was diagnosed by three doctors - including Andrews and team physician Stuart Hershon - as a strained right shoulder. When the Yankees were in Boston (April 11-13) there was talk of a muscle tear in the labrum area that Posada denied to The Post in St. Petersburg on April 14. According to a Red Sox source, a Boston team doctor injected Posada with a cortisone shot on April 12, but Posada denied that was the case.

"I hope what we are dealing with is nothing new, but I don't know if it's new, different, something that was missed or something prior," said GM Brian Cashman, who was putting a list of possible replacements together. "Anything is open."

If surgery is required, the first season of Posada's four-year, $52.4 million contract could be over. He had surgery on the same shoulder after the 2001 season.

"I tried to play catch, couldn't throw and shut it down," said a dejected Posada, who made one strong throw to second base Saturday. "We are going to find out what's bothering me. We have to be smart about this. It's not getting any better. The MRI showed a strained muscle, but I think it's more than that."

Posada, whose eyes moistened while he talked, is so concerned the problem is serious that he said he was sorry for getting hurt.

"I apologize to the Yankees. I signed a good contract," said Posada, who is hitting .302 with a homer and 11 RBIs in 18 games (seven as a DH).

Because Chad Moeller was designated for assignment Friday, the Yankees were looking into seeing if they could get him back. Nevertheless, Cashman said he wasn't optimistic that could happen.

"I suspect that can't happen until the middle of next week," Cashman said. "My gut tells me that's not an immediate choice."

Chris Stuart, who caught the first of two Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A) games yesterday, will be called up to join the team tonight to back up Molina.

How much time Posada will miss will determine what type of catcher the Yankees try to get. Mike DiFelice is at Durham (Rays' Triple-A team) and has an out in his contract if he gets a major league offer. Josh Paul is catching for Round Rock (Astros' Triple-A squad) and Doug Mirabelli is a free agent after getting cut by the Red Sox.

Texas recalled Jarrod Saltalamacchia this weekend and is expected to renew efforts to deal Gerald Laird. Arizona's Miguel Montero is off the disabled list and that makes Robby Hammock available.

"It's huge," Alex Rodriguez said of losing Posada. "We count on him for so many things. It's hard to replace Jorge." 

The Yankees looked much better against the White Sox than the Orioles this week. The Bombers seemed flat last weekend versus the Orioles. Robinson Cano and Jason Giambi are still battling their season long slumps. At least Jason has showed a little pop every now and then...plus he continues to draw the walk. Robinson is hitting the ball hard, but usually right at someone on the opposition.

Mike Mussina's ON/OFF season continues as he pitched a nice game last night. He passed Hall of Famer Bob Gibson with his 242nd ML win. If it had not been for Jorge Posada, the Moose would have been jerked earlier. Manager Joe Girardi was ready to go to the bullpen for LaTroy Hawkins, but Jorge stood up for his pitcher. Mussina threw seven strong innings needing just 101 pitches. Hawkins came in the eight and threw gasoline everywhere getting just one batter out and allowing the ChiSox back in the game. I wonder how much longer Hawkins can hang on with the Yankees as these performances continue. I thought Brian Cashman had learned his lesson with these "National League" type relievers.

I love Mariano Rivera. He just looks much older this season than in the past. Mo picked up his 6th save of the season (another multi-inning save). I wonder how this extra work will affect Mo if these multiple inning appearances continue.

Also....from the New York Post:

Based on a conversation Alex Rodriguez had with hitting coach Kevin Long, Joe Girardi expects to see Alex Rodriguez at US Cellular Field tonight.

Nevertheless, the smart money isn't on Rodriguez returning to the lineup because of a strained right quadricep muscle.

"I don't have plans to play him but I didn't have plans to play Derek [Jeter] the day I did," Girardi said.

Before last night's 6-4 win over the White Sox, Girardi said the chances of Rodriguez, who has been in Miami since Monday for the birth of his second daughter, were long.

"I would be shocked if he played [tonight]," Girardi said. "We have to make sure he doesn't push it too much, too early."

According to GM Brian Cashman, who didn't speak with Rodriguez yesterday, Rodriguez was slated to receive treatment at the University of Miami.

"All I know is that Joe Girardi told me he was looking at the Cleveland series [to play]," Cashman said.

The Yankees have been preparing for life without Alex Rodriguez, who is expected to miss a day or two in the next week in order to be with his wife as they welcome their second daughter into the world.

But the Bombers might be without the services of the AL MVP for longer than they anticipated, as Rodriguez suffered a strained right quad in Sunday's 7-1 victory over the Orioles.

"It's a little sore, a little tight," Rodriguez said. "Of course I'm concerned. Any time you have any type of ill feeling, you've got some concern."

The injury - the latest malady to beset the Bombers during the season's first three weeks - put a damper on a winning day for the Yankees.

Andy Pettitte took a perfect game into the fifth inning, providing some rest for the staff with seven shutout innings, to help snap the team's three-game losing streak. Derek Jeter doubled twice and drove in three runs, while Johnny Damon belted a two-run homer to give the Yankees some breathing room.

After the game, A-Rod's injury was the focal point.

"That's a big blow," Pettitte said. "I have no idea, but you come out with a strained quad, I'd say he's going to be out for a few days. We just have to pick up the slack."

"Hopefully Rod will be just a couple of days," Jason Giambi said. "Who knows, he's Superman, anyway. He might wake up (today) and feel great."

Click here for the full article from the New York Daily News.

A quick two with Boston starts tonight. Wang vs Bucholz start game one at the Stadium. Wang is coming off his masterful complete game two-hitter at Boston last Friday night. Mussina and Beckett are slated for the finale tomorrow night. It will be interesting to see how Mussina holds up going against the same high-octane Red Sox 2 times within a span of six days.

Anyone still making sense of Girardi's strategy of pitching to Manny last Saturday with a base open? That may have very well cost the Yankees that game. Would Joe Torre have pitched to Manny? Doubtful....

Who's tired of Michael Kay on the YES Network? Too egotistical and always right in his mind. I miss Bobby Murcer and Kim Kaat doing the games. I do like David Cone's perspective. Paul O'Neill does a nice job as well.

Jose Molina, Posada's backup who was forced out of Sunday's game with a tight left hamstring, is getting closer to returning. Chad Moeller started for the second straight game last night against the Rays. Molina threw and took BP but was held back from running.

Yankee players will have their lockers cleaned out by clubhouse staff after tomorrow night's game in order to prepare for Pope Benedict XVI's Sunday visit to Yankee Stadium. While the Pope will dress in the umpire's room, the church's cardinals will use the Yankees clubhouse.

Jeff Karstens, who is on the DL with a groin injury, plans to start throwing off a bullpen mound this week. Humberto Sanchez and Andrew Brackman, who are rehabbing with Karstens in Tampa, also are throwing on the mound. They are coming back from Tommy John surgery.

Still unsure when Jorge Posada will be able to play. Posada said Monday he was considering taking a cortisone shot and was suspected of getting a shot Saturday night in Boston when a Red Sox doctor visited him in the Fenway Park trainer's room. He made 40 long tosses yesterday and 13 from a distance that was about the same as from home plate to second base. Those throws had life on them.

Joba is still out with no return date while visiting his ailing father. According to Girardi, who spoke with Chamberlain yesterday, there was slight improvement with Harlan, who was struck with polio before he was a year old and uses a motorized scooter to get around.

BOSTON - The Yankees likely will be without Joba Chamberlain on Monday night in Tampa Bay, as the reliever left the team on Sunday night to tend to his ailing father.

According to sources, Harlan Chamberlain collapsed at his home in Lincoln, Neb. He was listed in critical condition at St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center in Lincoln, a nursing supervisor there told the Daily News on Sunday night. Chamberlain learned the news after the Yankees' loss to the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Chamberlain's sister called a Yankees official during the eighth inning in an attempt to reach Chamberlain, who was in the bullpen at the time.

After the game, a source said, Chamberlain returned the call, only to learn of his father's collapse.

Sources said Chamberlain broke down in tears inside the clubhouse, as manager Joe Girardi consoled him.

Asked about the situation, Girardi told The News, "Personal stuff stays in there," pointing to the clubhouse.

A team official said Chamberlain was not going to join the Yankees for their charter flight to Tampa on Sunday night, though he didn't know when the pitcher would be heading back to Nebraska.

Harlan Chamberlain has had a long history of medical problems, including polio and a burst appendix, and is confined to a motorized scooter. The 55-year-old was in New York for the Yankees' opening home stand, then attended last week's games in Kansas City, a three-hour drive from his home.

Harlan also made trips to watch Joba and the Yankees in Kansas City and the Bronx last season, when his son burst into prominence as a Yankee reliever, and became a popular figure around Yankee Stadium, with fans often calling out to him on his scooter. He was greeted warmly by Joe Torre last year and Joe Girardi this year, and particularly enjoyed getting the opportunity to speak with Reggie Jackson.

Harlan Chamberlain has struggled with his health, with the left side of his body slowly deteriorating, according to a story in the Daily Nebraskan last November. The paper said Harlan can no longer hear efficiently out of his left ear.

Harlan Chamberlain works as a prison counselor for the state of Nebraska and also as a ticket-taker at University of Nebraska sporting events.

Article Courtesy of New York Daily News

The curse has been broken - out of the ground, that is.

A pair of hardhats working at the new Yankee Stadium dropped a dime on the location of a buried Red Sox jersey.

Beantown-loving construction worker Gino Castignoli, who lives in The Bronx, confessed to The Post last week that he buried a Red Sox slugger David Ortiz jersey at the site last summer while working at the stadium.

After reading about the traitorous act in The Post, the two workers approached a construction manager and said they remembered Castignoli, who only worked at the Stadium one day, and thought they knew where he must have placed the shirt.

They led the manager to a service corridor near the site of the planned Legends Club restaurant, behind home plate and toward the third base side.

After the hardhats pointed to the spot, workers brought out jackhammers and dug furiously for five hours, creating a 2-foot- by-3-foot, gravel-filled pit in their search for the tainted threads.

They spotted the jersey at 3:25 p.m. and called Yankee brass. The cursed shirt was about two feet deep in cement.

"They absolutely pinpointed that if it was in the ground, that's where it was," team spokeswoman Alice McGillion said, as she let The Post inspect the now partly buried shirt.

But the team declined to identify its latest heroes.

Said McGillion: "The workers came forward this morning and said that they thought if there was a shirt buried, this is where it was" - on the stadium's lowest level, behind where the field-level seats will be.

Truth be told, the jersey felt like a filthy rag - but the lettering of the word "RED" was plainly visible.

The Post first revealed Castignoli's dirty deed Friday. Then yesterday, the Boston-loving boob said he hid it along the third-base line.

More from the NY Post HERE.

Derek Jeter has a strained left quadricep muscle injury and will miss at least three games beginning with the opening game of the Kansas City series. For now, it looks as if Wilson Betemit will take The Captain's position. He did not look sharp in the opener at KC; dropping a sure peg from Jorge Posada on a stolen base attempt by Tony Pena (not the Yankees first base coach...actually his son).

If Jeter's injury continue to hamper Derek and he goes on the DL, do the Yankees move Alex Rodriquez to short?

Here is the story from Yahoo:

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)—Derek Jeter will miss at least three games and possibly more with a strained left quadriceps, but the New York Yankees are not planning to put their eight-time All-Star shortstop on the DL.

“He probably won’t be available this series,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Tuesday before the New York played the Kansas City Royals. “We’ll shoot for the Red Sox series. We’ll see where he’s at after a couple of days and try to make an evaluation then.”

Jeter said he hurt the muscle running before Monday’s game against Tampa Bay and that the pain was “not that bad at all.”

“I haven’t tried to do anything yet. I’ve got to go in the trainers room and see what they tell me,” he said.

Wilson Betemit replaced Jeter in the lineup and was hitting eighth.

New York did get back first baseman Jason Giambi after a two-day absence. He had been out with a sore left groin.

Girardi said he did not know whether cold weather had contributed to the problems.

“They had no issues in spring training when it was warm. They were both running great,” Girardi said. “The conditions are the same for everybody. You’re never sure why something happens. But they happen, and you have to deal with it.”

Girardi said he had not discussed the possibility of moving Alex Rodriguez, an All-Star shortstop who switched to third when he was traded to the Yankees in 2004.

“We’re just thinking he’s been our third baseman the last few years. He’s comfortable playing third,” Girardi said. “I don’t see it being a problem with him not feeling comfortable playing short. But that’s why we have Wilson. If someone goes down in the middle of the infield for a couple of days, that’s why we have him.”

Jeter attempted to play on Monday but left after two innings. Girardi said an MRI exam did not indicate serious damage.

“It didn’t really reveal like a tear or anything. You could see there was a little something there. It doesn’t change our time frame. We’re not going to entertain any warm weather for the next six days, and that’s a little bit of a concern.”

After the series in Kansas City, New York heads to Boston for its first series this year against the World Series champion Red Sox. Jeter’s absence left the Yankees short-handed as they begin a stretch where they play 18 of 20 games away from home.

“It’s part of the game. There’s times you’re going to be short-handed,” Girardi said. “You’ve got to do the best you can. You get a guy who’s maybe nicked up for three or four days and you don’t necessarily want to DL him because then you lose him for 15.”

Not a very impressive outing for Ian Kennedy or for the Yankees. The Rays jumped on New York early and late making a close game turn into a blowout. Kennedy surrendered 6 runs in just 2 1/3 innings before being removed after 70 innings. LaTroy Hawkins allowed the Rays to break the game wide open allowing 6 runs in just 2/3 of an inning. Big Kyle Farnsworth, who now has respect from his manager (or so he says) looked the same as he did under Joe Torre. Hmmmm...not a really big surprise here. By the way, that is him in the picture after giving up another long ball.

The Yankees offense scored all their runs (4) in the fourth accumulating just 6 hits and 1 walk for the game. Hideki Matsui launched his first home run of the year down the right-field line. Yankees catcher Jorge Posada was the DH after missing two games with a stiff right shoulder. He was originally slated to catch but told the team during warmups he wasn’t ready. Joe Girardi was not in the dugout tonight. He is suffering from some sort of viral infection...or succumbing under the pressure of having to replace Joe Torre. Melky Cabrera began serving his suspension for the Tampa-New York brawl during spring training. Shelley Duncan is to begin serving his on Sunday.

The Yankees will try to turn things around on Saturday, sending Andy (HGH) Pettitte to the hill and the Rays will counter with Edwin Jackson. The game begins at 1:05 at the Stadium.

Tonight's game was very enjoyable to watch as a baseball purist. The game between the Blue Jays and Yankees featured two young and impressive right-handers that went head-to-head for most of the game. The Yankees scored the go-ahead run in the 8th inning when Johnny Damon bunted (it seemed he was bunting for a hit more than sacrificing) and Downs bobbled the ball near the first baseline. Derek Jeter followed that with a sacrifice bunt that he actually beat out; unfortunately the umpire "saw" differently. Bobby Abreu blooped a single that brought in Melky Cabrera.

Dustin McGowan and Phil Hughes matched each other for six innings. The "so-far" dominant Yankee tandem of Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera sealed the deal for the Bombers in the eight and ninth innings.

Box Score here.

Game Recap here.

Yankees will throw Ian Kennedy, Andy Pettitte, and Chien-Ming Wang on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday vs. the Rays in a three-game home stand.

Opening Night for the Yankees

BOX SCORE

The Yankees looked more like a team on a mission this season...at least on opening night. Chien-Ming Wang was strong and the bullpen tandem of Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera wrapped up the game in the 8th and 9th respectively. Melky Cabrera homered and made two beautiful plays in the outfield. In fact, if you did not know any better, you would assume this was another Joe Torre team and another Yankee win.

Here's the Game Story:

NEW YORK -- Eighty-five years after Babe Ruth christened Yankee Stadium with a home run, the Yankees kick-started the ballpark's glorious sendoff season with the creation of a new set of memories, posting a tight 3-2 victory over the Blue Jays.

With red, white and blue bunting dangling from all decks of the facility once lauded as a towering, triple-tiered wonder of the sporting world, Melky Cabrera homered and made two outstanding catches to earn a curtain call -- the Yankees' first in a season that promises to be rife with celebratory ovations.

In the sixth, facing Blue Jays starter Roy Halladay, Cabrera connected with a high, arcing shot toward the right-field corner, well ahead of Alex Rios' leap and destined to hammer off the concrete walkway to tie the game. Cabrera's right arm shot out toward the outfield wall as he raced around the bases, and he was later summoned out of the dugout to again acknowledge the crowd.

Cabrera had a long way to run in the third inning, dashing into the gap in right-center field to flag down Lyle Overbay's deep drive before thudding against the wall with a leap. One batter later, Cabrera was racing toward left-center field, stumbling ever so slightly before grabbing Aaron Hill's low liner, completing his acrobatics with a flourishing head-first skid across the wet outfield turf.

The Yankees took the lead in the seventh off Halladay when, with the bases loaded, Aaron Hill couldn't find a quick handle on Hideki Matsui's hot ground ball to second base. Hill flipped the ball to shortstop David Eckstein's bare hand to record a putout, but Alex Rodriguez crossed the plate with the go-ahead run on the fielder's choice.

Full Story