The Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. - New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera is expected to open the regular season on the disabled list because of an injured right groin.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday there is no timetable for how long Rivera will be out, but he said players typically need three weeks to recover from groin problems.

Rivera felt discomfort while making his final pitch in the ninth, an inning-ending double play grounder by Travis Chapman in Detroit's 4-2 win on Monday night.

"I've been treating it," Rivera said. "... It's a little sore. It's better than last night."

Rivera spent time on the disabled list in June with a groin strain in the same area.

RANGERS: Shortstop Alex Rodriguez went 2-for-8 with a homer and handled four fielding chances cleanly in a minor-league game Tuesday, his first game since being diagnosed with a herniated disc in his neck nearly two weeks ago.

RED SOX: Reliever Matt White's strained back could put him on the disabled list for the start of the season.

PADRES: Utility infielder Lou Merloni, a career .271 hitter, was claimed off waivers from Boston.

ATHLETICS: Center fielder Chris Singleton might miss the season opener against Seattle while recovering from having cysts removed from his thyroid.

ROCKIES: Denny Stark's status as starter for Colorado's home opener is in doubt. He strained a muscle in his side Friday.

TIGERS: Pitcher Steve Avery, who missed the past two seasons following surgery on his left shoulder in 1999, was reassigned to minor-league camp.

BREWERS: Milwaukee released right-handed pitcher David Pember, who is expected to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery Friday.

SUSPENSIONS: Montreal outfielder Vladimir Guerrero dropped his appeal of a three-game suspension in exchange for the commissioner's office cutting it to two games.

Florida pitcher Brad Penny and Montreal infielder Jose Macias were suspended for their roles in the bench-clearing brawl involving Guerrero this month. Penny's five-game suspension was upheld and will begin on opening day; Guerrero's suspension also will begin with the opener, and Macias' starts April 4.

• Los Angeles reliever Guillermo Mota had his suspension reduced from five games to four for hitting the Mets' Mike Piazza with a pitch March 12.