BALTIMORE — New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera has soreness in his left groin, an injury that could sideline him into the weekend.

Rivera said he first began to feel sore on Aug. 15 in Seattle. The right-hander has pitched in five games since then, including Monday and Tuesday, when he recorded his major league-leading 37th and 38th saves against Baltimore.

"I've had groin issues, but this is new. It's the left leg, which is good because you don't push off that leg," Rivera said. "It just happened while I was pitching. It's nothing to worry about; we'll go day by day. I'll play as soon as possible."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Rivera was not going to pitch last night regardless of the score.

"He's had it a little bit earlier and it went away and it was a little stiff after the game (Tuesday) night, so we just thought we're not going to use him tonight and we'll try to get rid of it," Girardi said, adding that he might keep Rivera out of the four-game series in Toronto that begins today.

The 39-year-old Rivera has converted a personal-best 34 saves in a row.

ELSEWHERE

Athletics: Oakland reinstated infielder Bobby Crosby from the 15-day disabled list before yesterday's game against Kansas City. Crosby had been out since Aug. 21, four days after suffering a strained left calf against the New York Yankees.

Rangers: Texas catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia was activated from the disabled list yesterday, despite talk earlier this week about possible season-ending surgery. Saltalamacchia, on the disabled list since Aug. 15 with right shoulder fatigue, has been bothered by recurring numbness in his right arm.

Rockies: Colorado closer Huston Street has biceps tendinitis in his pitching arm and is being shut down for an undetermined amount of time. Street, who has 33 saves in 34 chances, said he first felt discomfort Tuesday night when he threw a six-pitch ninth inning against the New York Mets in his first action in a week.

Orioles: Adam Jones' breakthrough season with Baltimore could be over. An injury has left the All-Star center fielder on crutches with a severe left ankle sprain. The initial prognosis is that Jones will miss at least two to three weeks, although acknowledged there's a good chance he will not return in 2009.