NEW YORK -- Yankees closer Mariano Rivera was put on the 15-day disabled list for the third time this season after an MRI on Monday showed he had again strained his right shoulder.
The move was made retroactive to Aug. 16. Rivera will follow a program of rest and exercise -- but no throwing -- for now.
Rivera is 1-4 with 27 saves and a 2.85 ERA for the AL East leaders. Even without him, New York has a deep bullpen with Steve Karsay, Mike Stanton, Ramiro Mendoza, Jeff Weaver and Sterling Hitchcock.
Before this year, Rivera had been on the DL only once in his career.
Rivera was sidelined from June 10-25 with a strained right groin.
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Rivera went back on the DL on July 26 because of a strain in his shoulder. He was activated Aug. 8 and made an impressive return, pitching a perfect ninth inning to close out a win over Kansas City.
The Yankees were off Monday and start a three-game series tonight against Anaheim.
As during Rivera's other absences, the Yankees will rely on Ramiro Mendoza, Mike Stanton and Steve Karsay for late-inning relief.
