Rays Flaunt Power and Top Yankees

Posada learned on Wednesday that he had suffered a fracture, an injury that the Yankees expect him to put aside for at least three weeks, but probably more. The Yankees, who lost to the Tampa Bay Rays, 10-6, have fallen two games in the standings in the AL East over the past two days, but more alarming is how quickly they are losing players.

In less than three weeks, who have lost three starters on opening day to the disabled list - Posada will join Curtis Granderson, and Nick Johnson - and one, Nick Swisher, is unavailable due to a sore left biceps .

"One hopes that not many of them at the same time," said Derek Jeter of the Yankees' injuries. "But you can not really feel sorry for yourself because the teams we're playing not to feel sorry for us."

Certainly not the Rays, who outhit, beat and beat the Yankees in an initial confrontation between the two best teams in baseball. The Rays (29-11) have the best record in the league in large part because of his aggressive, deep and solid starting pitching line. However, they have remained relatively healthy, too, while the Yankees do not have.

Posada, who had an MRI exam Wednesday, will land on the disabled list for the third consecutive year, with Francisco Cervelli to assume the starting duties. The Yankees will call another receiver, and although the outlook has proclaimed in Jesus Montero and Austin Romine, is more likely that a veteran like Chad Moeller will be promoted.

Posada was originally injured on Sunday when a foul ball hit the top of your foot. He said before Tuesday's game that the unrest had shifted to the bottom.

"This is something you have to put your weight on, and all these things, and transfer your weight from one side to another," said Posada, whose foot was in a walking boot. "This is something we have to care. I can not really do much."

The Yankees, already short-handed, loss of Marcus Thames when he came in the sixth inning with a sprained left ankle. Two nights after hitting a game-ending homer, Thames limped off after one, after having stepped on the bat as he ran toward first base.