Montero could join Yankees soon

BOSTON -- Jesus Montero's major-league debut could be close at hand. With Jorge Posada having been told Sunday that his regular DH days likely are over, the Yankees will consider getting the organization's top prospect some at-bats.

Montero is hitting .289 with a .349 on-base percentage and .437 slugging percentage in Triple-A. He has 11 homers and 51 RBIs.

Joe Girardi said bringing a youngster into the heat of a division race doesn't worry him. "As far as us bringing young players up, worried about how they'll contribute in this situation, we've done it before," he said. "You think about what we asked [Ivan] Nova to do last year, and Nuny [Eduardo Nuñez] was up last year at the end. It's not something we're afraid to do.''

When asked if the plans are for Montero to be up for tomorrow night's game, GM Brian Cashman said "not at this moment" in a text message.

Girardi paused several seconds when asked if he sees Montero as ready to be used as a backup catcher. "Probably. I'm not sure," he said. "It's something I want to see with my own eyes. The one thing about bringing up someone who is 21 years old and trying to learn a new staff in the middle of the season is not easy to do. That's more of a concern about bringing in a new catcher than is he ready to catch at this level."

Rodriguez getting closerAlex Rodriguez took batting practice again Sunday in Tampa and Girardi said he could be ready for a rehab assignment as soon as Friday. "He's starting to do things that would get you to the point where he's getting closer to a game," he said. "The last thing that would come would be the sprinting and running the bases.'' Girardi said it's "very feasible'' that A-Rod could rejoin the Yankees during their next road trip Aug. 15-21.

With Ken Davidoff