Sore Damon held out of Yankees lineup

May 22, 2009 - 3:42 AM By JAY COHEN AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK(AP) -- Johnny Damon was sore a day after he crashed into the left-field wall, leading New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi to rest him during Thursday night's 7-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

Damon collided with the fence trying to make a play on Adam Jones' homer in the fifth inning of New York's 11-4 win over Baltimore on Wednesday night.

"It was just kind of a day for him," Girardi said after New York finished off a three-game sweep of the Orioles. "I hope he comes to the ballpark and he feels good (Friday). He's day to day as well."

Melky Cabrera got the start in left and second baseman Robinson Cano moved up to second in the order with Damon out. Cano had three hits and three RBIs and Cabrera had a two-run double in the Yankees' ninth straight win.

Damon is off to a terrific start for New York, batting .318 with 10 homers and 28 RBIs this season. He is 10 for 31 with 13 RBIs in his last 13 games and could be back in the starting lineup when the Yankees open a weekend series against the defending World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night.

Injured right-hander Chien-Ming Wang also could return to the club soon. Wang, on the DL with weakness in the abductor muscles in his hips, is scheduled to make his third rehab start for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday at Pawtucket.

Wang threw a bullpen session Tuesday and Girardi said the club wants to see him carry over the consistency and explosion with his sinker that he showed the other day into a game.

"That will tell us a lot after (Friday's) start," Girardi said.