ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The New York Yankees placed closer Mariano Rivera on the 15-day disabled list Friday with a strained right shoulder.

	Rivera

The move came two days after Rivera experienced continued tightness in his shoulder after playing catch in the Yankees' bullpen before Wednesday's game at Cleveland.

"He recognized that was the test day,'' Yankees GM Brian Cashman said before the Yankees played at Tampa Bay. "He didn't feel worse, but he didn't feel better. He knew what was coming next.''

Rivera is eligible to come off the DL on Aug. 5.

"I can't tell you he'll be ready by that date, but our hope is he would,'' Cashman said. "We'll see. The disabled list situation will allow him the time he needs to get this thing resolved.''

The Yankees recalled left-hander Randy Choate from Triple-A Columbus. He is scheduled to join the team in time for Saturday's game at Tampa Bay.

Rivera received a cortisone shot Thursday. The right-hander could resume playing catch Sunday or Monday.

"That's the plan now,'' Rivera said. "It depends how I feel.''

Rivera's shoulder tightened up after he made just six pitches last Saturday against the Boston Red Sox. An MRI on Monday revealed the strain, but no other damage.

"It protects him against himself,'' New York manager Joe Torre said. "We don't have to push for anything.''

Torre said Rivera will rehab at the Yankees' minor league complex in Tampa.

The All-Star is 1-4 with a 3.06 ERA and 24 saves in 28 chances this season.

With Rivera out, Torre is using Steve Karsay and Mike Stanton in closing situations.

Rivera was on the disabled list from June 10-25 with a strained right groin. It was only his second trip to the DL, with the other coming in 1998 when he also had a groin strain.

The only previous time he has gotten a cortisone shot it was for an ankle injury.