The Bronx Stop: A Yankees Blog

Dawn Klemish of MLB.com has the news:

Alex Rodriguez walked through the Yankees' clubhouse with a heat pack on his right throwing shoulder on Friday morning, not a good omen for the day's game ahead.

Not much later, it was revealed the Yankees third baseman would only be the designated hitter in New York's game against Houston because of right shoulder discomfort.

Rodriguez said he's hampered "just a little bit" by the shoulder, but only when he throws. He was able to participate in all of the pregame drills that didn't involve a throwing motion.

"I certainly wouldn't miss a game during the regular season or have to DH," Rodriguez said. "But I think right now, it's just being smart."

Rodriguez said he probably would rest the shoulder for a couple of days, but he would continue to DH if that remained an option.

Catcher Jorge Posada was also a late scratch from Friday's game as well after he felt discomfort in a lateral muscle while throwing on Monday. Posada, too, feels no pain when hitting, but he will rest the muscle until Monday. He's listed as day-to-day.