Sunday, September 3, 2006; E08

Mariano Rivera 's stiff elbow will keep the Yankees' star closer off the mound all weekend.

Manager Joe Torre said yesterday that Rivera would not pitch during the final two games of his team's series against the Twins so he can rest his right arm.

"I'm just going to shut him down for a few days. Let's see if a few days off will help, try and relieve some of the discomfort," Torre said. "It doesn't feel normal.

"We'll see Monday when we get to Kansas City where we're at."

Torre reiterated that Rivera's right elbow is structurally sound -- an MRI exam on Thursday showed the reliever has a mild muscle strain.

Without Rivera, Torre said Kyle Farnsworth would probably close.

· PAPELBON, ORTIZ HOPEFUL: Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbo n hopes to return in a week after leaving the mound because of a muscle strain in his shoulder.

Papelbon was going for his 36th save when he felt a burning sensation in his right shoulder during the 2-1 win over Toronto on Friday night. He expects to have an MRI tomorrow.

Meantime, Red Sox slugger David Ortiz returned to Fenway Park, confident that wearing a heart monitor for a few days will hasten his return to the lineup.

"The most important thing right now is that I have no problem with my heart," Ortiz said. "The doctors told me 'Your heart is fine. We're just going to keep tracking."'

Ortiz was released from Massachusetts General Hospital on Thursday after tests for heart palpitations.

· UMPIRE IS OUT: Home plate umpire Marvin Hudson left the field after getting hit in the head on a backswing during the bottom of the third inning of the Athletics' game against the Baltimore.

Oakland SS Marco Scutaro led off the inning and caught Hudson on side of the head on his first swing.

· OH, FOUR: White Sox RF Jermaine Dye struck out all four times to snap his 12-game hitting streak.

-- From News Services