NEW YORK, July 22, 2008 (AFP) - The New York Yankees put catcher Jorge Posada on the disabled list on Monday with a sore right shoulder, and could be without him for the rest of the baseball season.

Posada was to go an MRI on Tuesday, a day after landing on the 15-day disabled list.

To take Posada's roster spot, the Yankees activated outfielder Johnny Damon from the 15-day disabled list, inserting him as a designated hitter in Monday's game against Minnesota.

Posada, who is in the first year of a four-year, 52 million-dollar contract, has played in just 51 games after missing 32 with right rotator cuff tendinitis.

Posada is batting just .268 this season with three home runs and 22 RBI. He has been used a designated hitter for much of the season as his ailing shoulder has seen him struggle to throw out baserunners.

The 36-year-old was to meet with doctor David Altchek on Tuesday and the Yankees said they would follow the doctor's recommendation regarding surgery.

It is possible that the catcher will not be able to delay an operation that would end his season, but he may be able to postpone surgery until the season is over.