Yankees place C Posada on DL

Jul 21, 2008 - 9:44 PM BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- The New York Yankees could be without catcher Jorge Posada for the remainder of the season.

Posada, who has been plagued by a sore right shoulder, is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Tuesday. The Yankees placed the veteran on the 15-day disabled list Monday.

To take Posada's rosters spot, the Yankees activated outfielder Johnny Damon from the 15-day disabled list. Damon is the designated hitter and batting leadoff in Monday night's contest against the Minnesota Twins.

In the first year of a four-year, $52 million contract, Posada, 36, has played in just 51 games after missing 32 contests with right rotator cuff tendinitis.

Posada will meet with Dr. David Altchek on Tuesday and the Yankees will follow the doctor's recommendation regarding surgery, which could be postponed until the end of the season. However, it is possible that the catcher will not be able to delay the surgery, which would end his season.

Posada is batting just .268 this season with three home runs and 22 RBI. He has been used a designated hitter for most of the season due to his shoulder injury, which has given him problems throwing out baserunners.

Jose Molina will likely remain behind the plate for the Yankees. The 33-year-old has thrown out 49 percent (26-of-53) base-runners this season but is batting .215 with 11 RBI in 61 games.

Damon, who landed on the DL for the first time in his 14-year career on July 6 with an injured right shoulder, is batting .268 with three homers and 22 RBI in 51 contests.

The Yankees (53-45) enter Monday in third place in the American League East, 4 1/2 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays (57-40).