Alex Rodriguez Will Likely Miss Entire Red Sox Series, Says Sore Left Thumb Too Painful to Swing Bat

BOSTON — New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez says he will probably sit out this week's entire three-game series at Boston because of his sore left thumb.

Rodriguez says he received a cortisone shot on Monday, but it's still too painful to swing a bat.

Rodriguez took ground balls with his thumb wrapped and taped before Tuesday's series opener at Fenway Park, but did not take batting practice.

He says he'd like to play as the Yankees try to catch the Red Sox, but that he's more likely to return this weekend against Toronto.

New York entered the series 1 1/2 games behind Boston.