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." 