Baseball notebook

NEW YORK - New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada was out of the starting lineup Saturday, a day after he was knocked over by Boston's Jason Varitek in a home-plate collision.

• Photos

"He had a jammed shoulder last night," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "He tried swinging the bat, got treatment this morning and it just didn't respond enough for him to be a player today. He was able to do all the motions, but it just wasn't going to happen today."

Posada was not available for comment before Saturday's game but said through Yankees spokesman Rick Cerrone that he could have been in the lineup if the team needed him.

Torre thought Varitek made a clean play on Posada, who was trying to get a grip on Derek Jeter's relay throw in the third inning.

"If he had the ball, he could have sort of sidestepped him or tagged him or put himself in better position," Torre said.

Gary Sheffield was out of the starting lineup for the third straight game with a tight left thigh, which forced him from Wednesday's game against Tampa Bay in the first inning. Sheffield tried to take batting practice Friday but stopped when he couldn't plant the leg.

Torre said Sheffield would first return as a pinch hitter, then a designated hitter before going back to right field.

Right-hander Mike Mussina, recovering from elbow inflammation, planned to play catch for the second straight day. If all goes well, he intends to throw a bullpen session Tuesday.

RED SOX-DAMON: Johnny Damon was not in the starting lineup of Saturday's victory over the Yankees because of a sore left shoulder.

Damon got a cortisone shot after Friday night's 8-4 loss. He has been playing with discomfort since hurting the shoulder on a slide last Sunday against Baltimore.

"It's not in the joint, it's just to get the inflammation out. He might even be available today," manager Terry Francona said. "He's tried to play through this. It's just something he needed to do."

Gabe Kapler started in center field for the Red Sox and batted ninth. Second baseman Tony Graffanino moved up to the leadoff spot.

WHITE SOX: Chicago activated Joe Crede from the 15-day disabled list before Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Angels.

The third baseman went on the DL on Aug. 26 with a hairline fracture of his right middle finger. He was hit by Jesse Crain's pitch in a game against the Minnesota Twins on Aug. 25.

Crede entered the game with a .232 average and 16 homers and 48 RBI. His .973 fielding percentage is second-best in the American League.