Posada, Wright Add to Yankees' Injury Woes

Just when the Yankees seemed to be getting healthier with the return of Gary Sheffield , they lost C Jorge Posada for at least one game and possibly RHP Jaret Wright for one start.

Posada had a sore hamstring and was not in the starting lineup for last night's finale of a three-game series against the Red Sox. He was hurt Tuesday night in the same game in which Wright tweaked his groin and left after five scoreless innings of the Yankees' 7-5 win.

That game marked the return of Sheffield, who went 0 for 3 with two walks as the designated hitter after missing 16 games with a contusion and sprain of his left wrist and hand. He also was the DH last night.

Yankees Manager Joe Torre said he would wait for the results of an MRI exam Posada is scheduled to have today, an off day, before deciding whether to add a catcher to the 25-man roster. Kelly Stinnett , the only other catcher on the team, started and batted ninth last night.

"It's a hamstring tendon. It's pretty sore," Torre said of Posada's injury. "Depending what the tests show," he could play tomorrow at home against the Royals.

Wright wanted to continue pitching Tuesday, but Torre didn't want to take a chance.

"We'll know probably more in a day or so, but, with the off day tomorrow, we're hoping he won't miss a start," Torre said.

He also said another right-handed starter, Shawn Chacon , probably will throw off flat ground tomorrow. Chacon went on the disabled list Sunday with a hematoma on his left leg.

Johnny Damon , who has a foot injury, didn't start last night after being the designated hitter Monday and center fielder Tuesday.

"If it's someone that doesn't need speed as part of the game, you can probably go out there and get away with it," Torre said, "but when his speed is such a part of what he does, I'm sure it's taken more of a toll on him."

For the second time in the three-game series, New York's starting outfield was Terrence Long in left, Bernie Williams in center and Melky Cabrera in right. Cabrera hit in Damon's leadoff spot.

· OUCH!: White Sox SS Juan Uribe was hit in the helmet with a pitch from the Athletics' Dan Haren and had to leave last night's game in the bottom of the second inning, but wasn't seriously injured.

With a runner at third and two outs, Uribe was hit by Haren's first pitch. Uribe then squatted near the plate as he was examined by trainer Herm Schneider and then went to the dugout. He was replaced by Pablo Ozuna .

· TOPS AGAINST TEXAS: The Angels' Vladimir Guerrero had a first-inning single yesterday against the Rangers, meaning that he has hit safely in all 42 career games against Texas. The majors' next-longest active streaks by players against a single opponent are 18 games.

-- From News Services