AP

TORONTO -- Yankees closer Mariano Rivera will throw in the bullpen Saturday and could be ready to return to the mound Sunday, manager Joe Girardi said.

Rivera, who has a sore left groin, has not pitched since Tuesday at Baltimore. He threw in the outfield Thursday and was expected to play catch again Friday.

Girardi said Rivera's bullpen session will be a light one. The right-hander will only throw 10 to 15 pitches and "probably won't break 85 (mph)."

Rivera, 1-2 with a 1.78 ERA and a major league-leading 38 saves, first began to feel sore Aug. 15 in Seattle. The 39-year-old has pitched in five games since then and has converted a personal-best 34 save opportunities in a row overall.

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Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter did not start against the Blue Jays on Friday, a scheduled day off. Ramiro Pena started for Jeter, who jammed a finger on his right hand diving for a ball in the fourth inning Thursday and did not take part in batting practice Friday. The injury is not considered serious.

By GEORGE A. KING III

TORONTO -- If you didn't know Mariano Rivera's left groin was cranky you would have never guessed that by watching the Yankees closer play catch with Andy Pettitte this afternoon.

With Pettitte on the right-field foul line at Rogers Centre, Rivera stood in short right field for the start of a throwing program. Eventually, Rivera was in center field and firing baseballs at his long-time teammate.

"I didn't do it to test [the groin], I wanted to throw," Rivera said of the 10-minute session. "I just played catch. Everything is beautiful."

But not good enough for manager Joe Girardi to use Rivera tonight when the Yankees open a four-game series against the Blue Jays with a season-high 7½ game lead over the second-place Red Sox in the AL East.

And Girardi, who didn't use Rivera in a save situation Wednesday night in Baltimore, isn't sure he will have Rivera on Friday.

"We will evaluate it," said Girardi. "We will see how he feels. If he is pain free .¤.¤. "

Should Rivera tell the Yankees' medical staff he feels something he won't be put on the mound even if he believes he could have pitched.

"It's uncomfortable not having Mo," Girardi said.

Asked how uncomfortable it would if the Yankees were without Rivera for an extended stretch, Girardi said, "Real uncomfortable. Like sitting on hot coals."

Rivera, who first experienced discomfort in the area Aug. 15 at Seattle and sat out the following three games, knows why the Yankees are being very cautious with him.

"I totally understand," said Rivera, who has converted an MLB-leading 38 of 39 saves and 34 in a row. "I am the first one to defend it. It's not like we are weak in the pen. All those guys can pitch."

Because the problem surfaced in Seattle and abated shortly thereafter only to return, is Rivera concerned about it coming back?

"I don't worry, when it's time to pitch I will pitch," Rivera said. "I would pitch now but I don't want to do that now. I have to make sure I take the days to get ready for the rest of the season and the playoffs."

With the large lead over the Red Sox and a 6½-game advantage over the Angels for home-field advantage in the playoffs, the Yankees could afford to make sure Rivera's 39-year old body is healed before using him. And it helps having Rivera not fighting the strategy.

"If there is something where I don't feel comfortable, I will shut it down," Rivera said. "You have to be smart."

With the rosters expanding this past Monday, Girardi had plenty of arms in the pen. His first option to close would be Hughes, Rivera's set up man. He threw 20 pitches Wednesday night when he retired all four batters he faced, fanning the final three. But Girardi is wary of over-using Hughes, who is still a neophyte when it comes to relieving.

"We will see how Hughes feels," Girardi said. "We can mix and match."

Roster additions Edwar Ramirez, Mark Melancon, Michael Dunn and Jonathan Albaladejo joined Phil Coke (who worked the previous two games), Damaso Marte, David Robertson, Alfredo Aceves and Brian Bruney in Girardi's pen last night when Chad Gaudin made his second start as a Yankee.

By GEORGE A. KING III

Joe Girardi has announced Sergio Mitre will start Sunday, and A.J. Burnett has been moved back to pitch one of Monday's two games against the Rays at Yankee Stadium with an extra day of rest.

CC Sabathia also will pitch Monday, but Girardi didn't say in what order his starters would work.

Mitre's outing Sunday will be the first since he was struck on the right forearm last Saturday and forced out of a game against the White Sox.

"It feels pretty good, real good actually," said Mitre, whose regular turn in the rotation was tomorrow but he will be replaced by Chad Gaudin.

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Brett Gardner will join Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A) today and start a rehab assignment.

"It makes sense to evaluate him after four days," Girardi said of the outfielder, who has been out since late July with a fractured left thumb.

By GEORGE A. KING III

Sergio Mitre said his right forearm felt good after a throwing session off flat ground but Chad Gaudin will start Thursday night against the Blue Jays in Toronto.

"Sergio is not ready,'' Joe Girardi said of the right-hander who was hit on the arm Saturday. "He will get back in the rotation.''

The Yankees have a split doubleheader Monday against the Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mitre is a candidate for a start there but Girardi said he could be back in the rotation sooner.

The only way that happens is if the manager opts to give Andy Pettitte or A.J. Burnett, Saturday's and Sunday's starters, an extra day of rest.

"They are being careful because of (Tommy John) surgery a year ago,'' Mitre said. "They don't want to risk it.''

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Brett Gardner took BP on the field and is hoping to start a rehab assignment. There is a chance the outfielder could rejoin the club Sunday in Toronto.

Gardner has been out since late July with a fractured left thumb.

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The team promoted catcher Francisco Cervelli, infielder Ramiro Pena and pitchers Mike Dunn, Mark Melancon and Edwar Ramirez from SWB (Triple-A) when the rosters expanded from 25.

Pitcher Jonathan Albaladejo was a candidate to be recalled but he was hit in the face playing catch Monday. When he is ready to pitch he will be promoted.

Top prospect Austin Jackson likely will be promoted when the SWB season is complete. Ditto for outfielder Shelley Duncan, who was named IL MVP, and first baseman Juan Miranda.

By GEORGE A. KING III

Pitcher Brad Penny has cleared waivers and according to a Yankees source is expected to sign with a National League team.

The Associated Press reports the San Francisco Giants are working on a deal to add Penny.

The Yankees had interest in the right-hander, who was released last Wednesday by the Red Sox.

Penny has about $1.5 million left this season in salary and attainable bonuses, and would need to sign with the Giants today to be eligible for the postseason.

With AP

AP

TAMPA, Fla. -- Pitcher Ian Kennedy will throw batting practice Wednesday for the first time since surgery May 12 to remove an aneurysm from beneath his right biceps.

Kennedy said he felt great after throwing 45 pitches off a mound Monday. The right-hander will make 30 pitches during Wednesday's session. He also is scheduled to face hitters Saturday and the following Tuesday.

The 24-year-old was pitching for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre when he experienced numbness in his pitching hand earlier this season. He is set to pitch in September's instructional league and afterward in the Arizona Fall League.

Kennedy went 1-4 with a 6.14 ERA in 13 major league games with the Yankees from 2007-08, including 12 starts.

By GEORGE A. KING III

The Yankees have an interest in veteran right-hander Brad Penny, who was released by the Red Sox late Wednesday night.

According to a person with knowledge of the Yankees' plans, the club doesn't know of an agreement between Penny and the Red Sox that he wouldn't sign with an AL team if they released him.

Penny, who is expected to clear waivers Monday because he has about $1.5 million left in salary and attainable bonuses, might be considered an upgrade over Sergio Mitre in the fifth starter's spot. After he clears waivers, Penny would cost the club signing him $100,000.

Several Yankees spoke glowingly of the 31-year-old, who faced them last Friday night in Boston when he gave up eight runs and 10 hits in four-plus innings.

"He's got good stuff,'' Johnny Damon said of Penny, whose fastball touched 97 mph and averaged 91 to 93. "His secondary stuff might need a little tweak but his fastball was electric, it cut and he hit his spots with it. Bring him here, why not? I love the way the guy competes."

Derek Jeter didn't go that far but said, "He throws hard and he challenges you. He comes right at you, it's not like he is trying to trick you."

By BRIAN COSTELLO

Brett Gardner took another step toward returning to the lineup when he swung a bat for the first time in a month.

If Gardner feels good tomorrow, they will increase his activities. Besides taking some light swings, Gardner also threw and ran the bases. He has been out since breaking his left thumb on July 26.

The hope is for Gardner to play a few games at Triple-A before playing for the Yankees.

"I think he needs to get some at-bats if it's possible," Joe Girardi said. "How many at-bats he needs I can't tell you. I think a lot of it depends on how these first few days go, if he gets sore. He's going to be evaluated by our doctor tonight [we'll] see how he feels tomorrow and if he feels better he can do a little bit more tomorrow."

Gardner said he hopes to return in a week: "Just ease back into things, as long as things are feeling good, continue to progress every day and get back into it."

Girardi said it's also possible Gardner could be used in a limited role at first as a pinch runner.

By GEORGE A. KING III

BOSTON -- The Yankees lost Johnny Damon in the first inning tonight when he fouled a ball off his right leg in the first inning.

Damon was diagnosed with a bruise.

Batting with Derek Jeter on second via a leadoff ground-rule double to right, Damon fouled off a 0-1 pitch from Brad Penny and immediately folded into the Fenway Park dirt at home plate.

After gingerly getting up, Damon was called out on a 0-2 pitch by umpire Joe West on a pitch out of the strike zone.

When the Yankees took the field with a 2-0 lead thanks to Jorge Posada's two-out single to center, Eric Hinske was in left field.

By GEORGE A. KING III

BOSTON -- Reliever Damaso Marte, out since April with an injured left shoulder, is expected to rejoin the Yankees bullpen tonight for the series opener with the Red Sox.

It's possible the Yankees could go with 13 pitchers and send down a position player, who then would be recalled when rosters expand Sept. 1.

Marte, who signed a three-year, $12 million deal this offseason, has pitched in seven games with a 15.19 ERA.

AP

TAMPA, Fla. -- Pitcher Ian Kennedy likely will pitch next month in the instructional league, his first game action since surgery May 12 to remove an aneurysm from beneath his right biceps.

Kennedy said Wednesday it's doubtful he will return for a minor league game this season. The right-hander is throwing fastballs and changeups during bullpen sessions and could be ready for a simulated game early next month.

The 24-year-old was pitching for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre when he experienced numbness in his pitching hand. He is set to pitch in the Arizona Fall League later this year.

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First-round draft pick Slade Heathcott, second-round pick J.R. Murphy, and 16-year old catching prospect Gary Sanchez took batting practice at the minor league complex. They are expected to play with the rookie level Gulf Coast League Yankees this season.

By GEORGE A. KING III

OAKLAND -- A.J. Burnett and Jorge Posada need to tighten up their communication skills with each other.

After a 7-3 victory Aug. 12 over the Blue Jays, Posada said he was crossed up a couple of times and Burnett uncorked three wild pitches, though none of the wild pitches came on a cross-up.

Monday night, when Burnett went the distance and gave up three runs and six hits against the A's, he stopped his delivery in the middle and was called for a balk with runners on second and third.

"He put curveball down and I saw fastball in,'' Burnett said. "I saw (Posada) move and I couldn't do anything about it. I missed the sign.''

The balk was in the middle of a three-run fourth that was enough to get Burnett beat, 3-0.

"He stopped, it's not something you see every day but we saw it tonight,'' Joe Girardi said. "It was a little mix-up.''

By GEORGE A. KING III

SEATTLE -- Hideki Matsui's left knee is retaining fluid less than a year after it was operated on.

Joe Girardi didn't plan to play Matsui today before the DH reported to Safeco Field, the hinge becomes an issue since Matsui, when healthy, is an important cog in the middle of the Yankees' lineup.

"He has a little fluid, what that means, I can't tell,'' said Girardi, who used Mark Teixeira as the DH and Nick Swisher at first against Mariners right-hander Doug Fister. "The right knee is fine, the left one has a little fluid. Is it a concern? A little bit. Hopefully we can get it out and go day to day.''

Asked if there is a chance Matsui could be more than a day-to-day deal, Girardi has his fingers crossed it's not.

"I sure hope not, we have been fortunate,'' Girardi said. "One time he had drained and he came back very well.''

In 104 games Matsui is hitting .266 with 19 homers and 58 RBIs. He is on a 12-for-36 (.333) hot streak.

"I had him out of the (lineup) before he got here,'' said Girardi, who didn't use Matsui in Saturday night's 5-2 win. "If he was stiff yesterday, I wanted to give him an extra day.''

Teixeira was the DH for the fourth time and Swisher started at first for the seventh game.

AP

Yankees captain Derek Jeter has passed Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio for most hits by a shortstop.

Jeter hit an RBI double in the third inning of Sunday's game against the Seattle Mariners. His 2,674th hit as a shortstop came two innings after he had singled against Seattle rookie starter Doug Fister leading off the game.

He had seven hits in his first 14 at-bats of the four-game series with the Mariners.

Jeter also has 13 hits as a designated hitter in his career.

His 2,687 hits as of the third inning Sunday were second in Yankees history, 34 behind Lou Gehrig.

By GEORGE A. KING III

SEATTLE -- Alex Rodriguez was scratched from the Yankees' lineup tonight against the Mariners with back spasms.

The spasms started after Rodriguez braced himself while being hit in the elbow by a pitch in Wednesday afternoon's win over the Blue Jays. Rodriguez scored the winning run in the 11th inning.

Thought the elbow also is swollen, after sitting out last night, Rodriguez was in tonight's original starting lineup at third base. He was replaced by Jerry Hairston.

By GEORGE A. KING III

SEATTLE -- Joe Girardi announced that Joba Chamberlain will start Sunday against the Mariners instead of Wednesday against the Athletics in Oakland.

"After an 11-inning game on Wednesday, we thought about flipping [Chad] Gaudin and Joba.

"Joba will start Sunday," Girardi said.

Originally, Girardi had said Sergio Mitre would start Saturday and newcomer Gaudin would make his initial Yankees start Sunday.

But Thursday, the Yankees manager began to think it might be better for Chamberlain to go Sunday and get his rest afterward.

Because Chamberlain pitched Tuesday, Sunday is his regular turn in the rotation.

"The bullpen/starter stuff is gonna go on for a while, but the innings thing I'm pretty excited to get rid of it soon, "Chamberlain said.

"It's year three and we still have 'Joba Rules.'"

This means Chamberlain won't face the Red Sox in a three-game series at Fenway Park next weekend. Andy Pettitte, A.J. Burnett and CC Sabathia will get the starts in Boston.

Had Chamberlain worked Wednesday in Oakland rather than tomorrow, he wouldn't have been available for the Red Sox, either.

Chamberlain will make his next start after Sunday on Aug. 25 against the Rangers at Yankee Stadium in the opener of a six-game homestand.

In spring training, the Yankees hatched a plan that would limit Chamberlain's regular-season innings to 140. They have adjusted it up a bit, but don't want him much above 160. Chamberlain (8-2; 3.85 ERA) is at 121 2/3 innings.

By GEORGE A. KING III

SEATTLE -- Slade Heathcott and John Murphy have until Monday at midnight to decide what their baseball future will look like.

Heathcott, the Yankees' No. 1 pick and 29th player taken overall in the June draft out of Texas High School in Texarkana, has to decide between the Yankees and playing outfield for national champion LSU.

Murphy, a catcher taken in the second round out of the Pendleton School in Bradenton, Fla., has an offer to play for Miami.

"We are working on it,'' GM Brian Cashman said of getting the first two picks inked before the deadline. If the deals don't get done the players aren't eligible to sign with the Yankees and not eligible for the draft again until they complete three years at LSU and Miami, respectively. "We will wait and see.''

Having drafted high school pitcher Gerrit Cole in the first round (28th player picked) and Ole Miss pitcher Joseph Bittle in the second round (75th) last year and didn't sign either has made Cashman cautious.

"We learned some hard lessons in the past,'' Cashman said. "Until you cross the finish line, get them signed and passing a physical, you never know.''

Cole opted for UCLA and Bittle failed a physical.

AP

The Yankees have lifted Derek Jeter from their game against the Toronto Blue Jays after the All-Star shortstop was struck on his right foot by a pitch in the first inning.

Jeter staggered away from the plate after Ricky Romero's pitch but opted to stay in after a visit from manager Joe Girardi and a trainer. He looked fine going from first to third on Johnny Damon's double and scored easily on Jorge Posada's grounder.

But Ramiro Pena replaced him before Toronto batted in the third and made a terrific diving catch to take a hit away from Edwin Encarnacion in the fourth.

The Yankees said X-rays on Jeter's foot were negative.

AP

TAMPA, Fla. -- Pitcher Ian Kennedy has thrown off a mound for the first time since undergoing surgery May 12 to remove an aneurysm from beneath his right biceps.

Kennedy threw 25 pitches during a bullpen session Tuesday. The right-hander says everything was fine and he would work off a mound again Friday.

The 24-year-old was pitching for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre when he experienced numbness in his pitching hand. He hopes to pitch in a minor league game before the season ends.

The surgery was performed by Dr. George Todd, who operated on former Yankees pitcher David Cone's aneurysm in 1996.

By JANIE McCAULEY, AP

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Jason Giambi's second stint with the Oakland Athletics didn't pan out as either side had hoped.

Friday, they parted ways -- most certainly for good this time.

Giambi was released by the A's, cutting short the struggling slugger's return to his first major league club. It's unclear if the former Yankee can catch on with another club or whether this could be the end of a 15-year career.

"I would have no idea what the chances are of that," A's general manager Billy Beane said on a conference call. "Jason's one of those guys who will play as long as he can. My impression was he was going to try to continue."

He isn't a player the Yankees want to bring back, a club source told George A. King III.

According to several sources, Giambi is drawing "interest from several teams" and expects to continue playing.

Giambi's aching body could make that tough. The 2000 AL MVP for the A's, he's been on the disabled list since July 20 with a strained right quadriceps muscle.

The 38-year-old first baseman and designated hitter had returned to Oakland this season after seven pressure-packed years with the Yankees, agreeing in January to a one-year contract that guaranteed him $5.25 million. That included a $6.5 million club option for 2010 with a $1.25 million buyout.

Giambi was making $4 million this season, so another team would owe him the prorated portion of the $400,000 league minimum. The A's are still responsible for his buyout.

Giambi's legs have been bothering him for months, limiting his time in the field. The injuries, however, weren't considered career threatening.

"I talked to Jason quite a bit," Beane said. "Everyone knows Jason is a great guy and this is not something any of us envisioned. He always was upbeat and, as he always does, thanked us for everything.

It was difficult because of the person," Beane added. "Jason has a long, successful history here and somebody that everybody was very fond of not just as a player but as a person. Those things are never easy. But once again, like everything Jason's done this year, he acted like a professional. We'll certainly miss him."

A five-time AL All-Star, Giambi was batting .193, lowest in the majors among regulars when he went on the DL. He has 11 home runs and 40 RBIs in 83 games this season. When he was placed on the DL, Beane and manager Bob Geren said a mental break might help him.

A phone message and e-mail left for Giambi's agent, Arn Tellem, weren't returned.

Beane re-signed Giambi in hopes he would ignite a dormant offense. Instead, Giambi had a nine-game stretch in June during which he was 2 for 26 (.077). He wound up hitting .152 for the lowest average for a month in his career.

The Yankees declined a $22 million option on Giambi after last season, choosing to pay him a $5 million buyout, and signed Mark Teixeira to a $180 million contract to play first base.

That's how Giambi ended up back in Oakland, the team that drafted him in the second round in 1992 out of Long Beach State. He made his big league debut three years later.

After leaving the A's following the 2001 season, Giambi signed a $120 million, seven-year contract with the Yankees. He was slowed by injuries and ensnared in
federal and baseball investigations of performance-enhancing drugs.

Giambi called it a "childhood dream" of playing in pinstripes despite the constant media scrutiny and attention. He came back to the A's hoping to aid in a turnaround and also mentor younger players.

Beane has been dedicated to rebuilding the franchise from the bottom up, giving young players opportunities throughout the farm system.

"This is a good opportunity for us to give a lot of guys a chance to play these last two months," Beane said.