MLB

POSADA LEAVES TO SEE SPECIALIST

CLEVELAND — Jorge Posada had his injured right shoulder examined by Dr. James Andrews today in Birmingham, Ala.

That was as much information the Yankees were giving out about the situation concerning their All-Star catcher, who was put on the disabled list for the first time in is career with what is being called a strained muscle.

Posada, who is expected to fight any suggestion of surgery, was slated for a second MRI exam and it’s likely the Yankees don’t want to release information until team physician Stuart Hershon has a chance to look at the results.

There also is a strong chance that because Posada is on the DL, the 36-year-old can visit Reds team doctor Tim Kremchek, a shoulder expert.

Posada didn’t catch from April 9 to April 22 because of a weak shoulder then couldn’t throw the ball Sunday and was a late lineup scratch.

The Yankees promoted Chris Stewart from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A). He was Jose Molina’s backup tonight against the Indians at Progressive Field.

Though the club was mum about what Andrews found, if you read between the lines of what people who know Posada well, rest, not surgery, may be the remedy. Two weeks ago there was talk Posada was suffering from a tear in the labrum area and that he received a cortisone shot from a Red Sox team doctor. He denied both.

“He will be all right, he will be back in a couple of weeks,” said Derek Jeter, Posada’s closest friend in the clubhouse. “I am not a doctor, but he will be fine.”

Joe Girardi said surgery wasn’t necessary because he believes it’s a strain, not a tear.

“If it’s a strain then surgery is not an option,” Girardi said. “We will probably rest him a little bit longer.”

Chad Moeller, who performed well backing up Molina while Posada was out, was designated for assignment late Friday afternoon. If he clears waivers it won’t be until after Wednesday. Even then, because Moeller has five-plus years of major-league service time, he could reject the outright to the minor leagues and become a free agent if he believes he has a better chance of getting to the big leagues. When Moeller was sent out Friday, before the Yankees knew about Posada’s latest problem, Moeller said the team had treated him too well to not go to Triple-A. However, there is talk the Mets might be interested in him.

“We had a lot of discussions,” Girardi said of the time before letting Moeller go. “We felt Jorge was ready to go, Jorge felt he was ready to go. With five left-handers in six days we wanted Shelley (Duncan on the roster). Hindsight is 20/20. It is what it is.”

Should Posada be headed for surgery, which would force him to miss extensive time, the Yankees are likely to explore what the extra catching market can deliver.

Former Red Sox Doug Mirabelli is a free agent, Mike DiFelice is at Durham (Triple-A, Rays), and Josh Paul is at Round Rock (Triple-A, Astros).

Texas is likely to resume shopping Gerald Laird after recalling Jarrod Saltalamacchia, the key to last year’s deal with the Braves that sent Mark Teixeira to Atlanta. The Rangers were looking for young pitching for Laird in the offseason.

A trade would be more of an option if Posada is out for an extended period of time.