TAMPA, Fla. —Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has a sore right shoulder and is expected to be limited to designated hitter until early next week.

Rodriguez said he felt discomfort yesterday and the shoulder bothers him when he throws.

"Just a little bit," Rodriguez said before today's game against Houston, which he was in the lineup as the DH. "I certainly wouldn't miss a game during the regular season, or have to DH. But I think right now, it's just being smart."

Rodriguez took part in all drills Friday except the 10-minute throwing session. At that time, he took extra grounders at third.

"I probably won't throw for a couple days," Rodriguez said. "The swing is good."

The three-time AL MVP had a heat pack on the shoulder before going through pregame drills.

Yankees catcher Jorge Posada was scratched from Friday's game due to a sore lat muscle, which he felt while throwing on Monday. Posada could return to the lineup next Monday.

"Everything is fine hitting," Posada said. "I threw today and didn't feel it. I didn't push it, obviously, so it's just day to day."