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NEW YORK -- The Arizona Diamondbacks won't get a chance to ruin Mariano Rivera this series. The New York Yankees put Rivera on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a strained right groin, just the second time in the closer's eight-year major league career that he's been sidelined. "I think it's the best thing to do. For precautions, for everything," Rivera said. "It may be 10 days or 60 days, but I hope not," he said. "I hope only two weeks." The Yankees also placed outfielder Juan Rivera on the DL with a fractured right kneecap. Right-handed pitcher Brandon Knight and outfielder Marcus Thames were recalled from Triple-A Columbus. The Yankees were also concerned about outfielder Rondell White. He hurt a finger on his left hand during a checked swing Sunday, and was being evaluated. "It's a problem right now," manager Joe Torre said. Mariano Rivera has 18 saves in 20 chances this season, and has been successful on 13 straight tries. The Yankees' career saves leader has not allowed a run in his last 13 2/3 innings. Rivera was put on the DL, retroactive to Sunday, hours before the Yankees played the Diamondbacks in the opener of a three-game interleague series. Last November, Arizona rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning against Rivera to beat the Yankees 3-2 in Game 7 of the World Series. "I would like to be healthy for the Diamondbacks," Rivera said. Luis Gonzalez, whose bloop single capped that startling comeback against Rivera, said he wouldn't miss seeing him in a rematch. "I don't think there's a hitter anywhere who wants to face him. I'm serious," Gonzalez said. "You never want to hear about a guy being hurt," he said. "But I don't think you'll find anyone in this clubhouse too mopey that Mo is on the DL for this series." Rivera was on the disabled list in April 1998, also because of a strained right groin. Minus Rivera, Torre planned to use several relievers to close games. Righty Steve Karsay got his second save Sunday against San Francisco, lefty Mike Stanton has done the job in the past and righty Ramiro Mendoza had six saves last year. Juan Rivera was promoted from Columbus last Wednesday and got his first major league hit that night. But on Saturday, he ran into a golf cart -- which had maintenance equipment -- while working on pregame outfield drills. Thames, 25, was hitting .216 with six home runs and 20 RBI at Columbus. Last year, he hit .321 with 31 homers and 97 RBI at Double-A Norwich. Thames was to make his major league debut Monday night, playing right field and batting ninth -- against Arizona ace Randy Johnson. "Yeah, I've heard since yesterday that he's pitching," Thames said. Knight was 0-4 with eight saves and a 5.40 ERA at Columbus. He was 0-0 with a 10.13 ERA with the Yankees last season.
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