Mariano Rivera is deciding whether to have surgery on his shoulder.

Brian Cashman will decide soon whether he remains as the GM. This notebook also has details of a lopsided victory and good news for Andy Pettitte.

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Here’s how you know when you’re coming off a long day, when you walk to the CVS next to the ballpark and buy a large Red Bull and a pack of gum and that’s breakfast.

Meanwhile, it’s raining at Fenway Park. Back later with the lineups.

* It sounds like Derek Jeter is done as his left hand was bothering him during his two at-bats. Joe Girardi said Jeter would sit on Saturday. Asked whether he could play Sunday, Jeter didn’t seem optimistic. At this point, he might as well shut it down.

* Andy Pettitte said the MRI gave him some peace of mind. He also revealed that his shoulder injury was an inflamed rotator cuff. “I tried to pitch through it and it got worse,” he said. “But the doc said it would clear up once I rested.”

* Bobby Abreu was thrilled to get to 100 RBI. “It’s good, to do that for six straight years,” he said. “That’s what I wanted out of this game.” Abreu said he has enjoyed his time with the Yankees and hoped he could stay with the team.

ESPN’s Buster Olney believes the Yankees will offer Abreu arbitration. If he takes it, great. They get a productive player (even at a high salary) for one year. If he leaves, they get the draft pick. My guess: He signs a three-year deal with the Mets for $48 million.

* Girardi is pretty excited by what they’re seeing out of Brett Gardner. He’s keeping the ball out of the air, which is what they’ve been preaching to him,

* Daisuke Matsuzaka will pitch for Boston today against Ponson. Wakefield against Mussina on Sunday.

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Don Mattingly has a company that produces baseball equipment including an innovative bat. Skip Shaw, the President of Mattingly Baseball appeared on Blog Talk Radio to discuss the venture.

Skip is a great baseball fan and a friend of this blog, so give a listen.

YANKEES (87-72)
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Nady DH
Cano 2B
Moeller C
Gardner CF
Aceves RHP

RED SOX (94-65)
Ellsbury CF
Lowrie SS
Ortiz 1B
Youkilis 3B
Bay LF
Lowell DH
Kotsay RF
Cash C
Velasquez 2B
Wakefield RHP

Alfredo Aceves (1-0, 1.38) has never faced any of the Boston hitters.

Daisuke Matsuzaka (18-2, 2.80) vs. the New York hitters.

Notes: The Yankees have won seven of eight and 10 of their last 12. … The Yankees are 7-8 against the Red Sox this season. … The Yankees have scored two or fewer runs 50 times this season and three or fewer runs 69 times. … Boston trails Tampa Bay by two games for the AL East with three to play. Tampa’s magic number is one.

FINDING HIS WAY: It’s only 10 games but Brett Gardner seems to be figuring out what kind of offensive player he can be in the big leagues. He is 11 of his last 27 with six runs scored, four extra-base hits and three stolen bases.

NEWLY CONSISTENT: Robinson Cano has hit in eight straight games at 11 of 28. He has struck out only one time in that stretch.

Back later with updates as they become available.

UPDATE, 4:16 p.m.: Just spoke to Mariano Rivera. He has been been pitching with a sore shoulder all season. There is inflammation and calcification. He has been given two options: a series of injections and rehab or surgery. He has not made a decision but seems to be leaning toward the surgery.

As to the events of last night …

Rivera told Girardi on Tuesday that his body was cranky. He told him on Wednesday before he left Toronto that his shoulder was hurt. Mariano told Girardi he wanted to break the news to the media. Mariano is the kind of guy who doesn’t want anybody speaking for him.

So Girardi invented the “it’s his standard physical” story. But Cashman went with the truth. When Girardi was confronted with the truth after the game, he stuck with his lie.

The whole thing likely could have been avoided if they all managed to get on the same page in the first place. Once the cat was out of the bag, Girardi should have copped to it. Once the general manager of the team admits the truth, it’s out there. Kudos to Girardi for doing what Mo wanted. But they needed to find a better way to do it.

Essentially, none of that much matters. What does is that Rivera believes he will be ready for spring training. Meanwhile, it’s pretty amazing that he has had the season he has had with a bum shoulder.

UPDATE, 5:53 p.m.: And the news keeps pouring in as it pours in Boston.

Joe Girardi apologized to reporters for lying to them over the course of the season and said he has to come up with a better way to give us information about injuries. He said the only way he can prove he’s serious is by his actions moving forward. So we’ll see what happens.

Meanwhile … Andy Pettitte was back in New York today for a second MRI on his left shoulder. This was a dye-contrast MRI, which I’m told is the best MRI possible in terms of revealing damage. It came back clean. That does not mean they’re bringing him back, necessarily. But it clears the path.

Meanwhile … Brian Cashman said we will know “sooner than later” whether he will return as GM of the Yankees. It won’t be this weekend but could be early next week by the sound of it. Cashman said there has not been a contract offer from the Yankees but there has been an expression of support in terms of them wanting him back.

I’ll post some quotes later once I transcribe them. I think it’s 50-50 whether Cashman returns and that may be optimistic. It could depend whether Hal Steinbrenner can control Hank Steinbrenner or to what degree Hank is involved with baseball operations.

Hank’s foolish statements and interference (like during the Santana negotiations, the Posada negotiations, etc.) are not conducive for a GM to do his job. Either Cashman decides he can deal with that or he goes elsewhere. At some point, dealing with such nonsense must be tiresome.

Know this much: Whether you like Cashman as the GM or not, if he leaves it’ll be chaos in the organization. They don’t have anybody ready to step in and many of the people in baseball operations, scouting, the minors, etc. are his people. Girardi is his manager, etc.

Think for a second how Girardi will be next season if he’s working for a GM who didn’t hire him. The first time the Yankees fall below .500 The Girardi Watch will be on.

Cashman has a plan, he’s a smart guy and the Yankees would be wise to let him do his job. Nobody gets forever, but he should get some time to get this thing fixed.

UPDATE, 6:54 p.m.: I know this will come as a shock. But the start of the game has been delayed by rain.

Oh, and Ortiz was scratched. Sean Casey now at first and batting seventh.

UPDATE, 6:59 p.m.: This just in from the Red Sox, the rain is supposed to stop. They’re hoping to start sometime around 8 p.m. I’ll keep you posted.

UPDATE, 7:17 p.m.: They took the tarp off, groomed the field and now it’s raining again and the tarp is being put back on. So much for the 8:05 start.

Meanwhile, Red Sox Nation is guzzling overpriced beer in the concourses.

UPDATE, 7:42 p.m: Matsuzaka has been scratched. If the game ever starts, David Pauley would start for Boston. Sure, the Japanese writers get to go home.

UPDATE, 7:43 p.m.: Just FYI, I’ve decided not to post Joe Girardi’s pre-game audio, which would include the apology he issued to the writers. Frankly, it’s between him and us and I’m not sure it’s something he would want out there. Even if he didn’t care, I don’t see a need to continue this story beyond where it is already.

To me, 99 percent of this is about Mo and his ability to pitch. The rest is just stuff we need to figure out.

UPDATE, 7:48 p.m.: OK, tarp coming off again. First pitch at 8:35 p.m. Or so they hope.

UPDATE, 8:41 p.m.: The game is underway. I have a few newspaper stories to finish, so the updates might be sparse for an hour. Sorry about that.

UPDATE, 8:58 p.m.: Hmm, Alfredo Aceves could be the Mexican Chase Wright if this keeps up.

UPDATE, 9:37 p.m.: It’s raining here again. The goal is probably to get five in and call it a night.

UPDATE, 10:25 p.m.: Jeter is out of game with a sore left hand. Meanwhile it’s pouring again and the game has been delayed.

UPDATE, 10:45 p.m.: Bad news for all you Cody Ransom fans out there. Because the game has not gone five innings, it would be wiped out if they don’t start again.

UPDATE, 10:52 p.m.: Cody Ransom’s bid at history will continue. The game is scheduled to start again at 11:05 p.m.

UPDATE, 11:12 p.m.: OK, the game has started again and we’re three outs away from being official. Excellent news for Brett Gardner and Cody Ransom.

Meanwhile, I am declaring myself no longer responsible for anything I may write from this point forward due to lack of sleep and Red Bull. If you’re in the Kenmore Square area and want to bring me a Red Bull, I have $25 Canadian to give you and a bunch of their coins.

UPDATE, 11:23 p.m.: The Phil Coke Scoreless Era has come to a sad end as he allowed a run. He went 11.2 innings before giving up a run.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox and Yankees have a combined payroll of roughly $350 million and players in the game at the moment include Cody Ransom, Wilson Betemit, Chad Moeller, Brett Gardner, Phil Coke, Gil Velazquez, Chris Carter, George Kottaras, Jon Van Every and Kevin Cash.

UPDATE, 11:57 p.m.: Bobby Abreu has 99 RBI and 99 runs scored.

Meanwhile, Robinson Cano is 2 for 4 with two doubles and four RBI. If Girardi had benched him for a day in May would the Yankees be going to the playoffs? I’m sort of serious about that.

UPDATE, 12:17 a.m.: Thats 100 RBI for Bobby Abreu. He has reached that plateau for six straight seasons, joining only A-Rod and Albert Pujols on that list.

Bobby asked for the ball for got it. He’ll get a lot of money from somebody next season.

Assorted drunks are now chanting “Let’s Go Red Sox” as they’re losing 17-5.

UPDATE, 12:49 a.m.: You’re killing me, Melky. You too, Chris Britton.

UPDATE, 12:52 a.m.: The game is over. Thanks for reading, catch you tomorrow. Or, to be accurate, later today.

This press release from the Red Sox:

The current weather forecast (provided by the Red Sox private weather service, Meteorlogix) in the vicinity of Fenway Park calls for the possibility of a break in today’s rain showers, which are currently moving through the area, beginning in the very late afternoon hours. We are hopeful this will allow tonight’s Red Sox-Yankees game to be played as scheduled.

This forecast is of course subject to change as the day progresses. Additional updates will be provided periodically.

Sounds like we could be here for a while. Oh, goodie.

I’m hoping to get more information on this later from Brian Cashman, who is supposed to be here today.

But Mariano Rivera is getting a second opinion on his shoulder today and every indication is that he will need surgery to repair bone spurs. It’s minor surgery, a scope. But no surgery is minor when you’re talking about a 38-year-old pitcher and shoulder issues are almost always more complicated than elbow injuries.

There seems to be little chance that Mo will pitch this weekend.

Then again, maybe he just has a cranky body and was getting his physical.

If for some reason you were planning to devote your evening to watching the Yankees-Red Sox game, I’d make alternative plans.

There’s what is essentially a tropical storm hitting Boston. Rain, winds, flooding, the whole deal. I can’t imagine we’re going to have any baseball tonight. I just arrived at Fenway Park and there’s a river on the warning track.

I’ll update you later as more information becomes available.

Here we are at Joe Carter International Airport in Toronto, waiting for the last flight of the Yankees season.

Lots of rain is expected in Boston today. MLB wants teams to play all 162 (as they should), so we could have a doubleheader on Saturday or Sunday if tpday’s game is rained out.

Boston is likely on its way to Anaheim early next week, so the last thing they want is a double dip on Sunday. There could be lots of waiting around at Fenway Park this weekend.

The players, most of them anyway, packed up their stuff in New York last week. Once the final game is played in Boston, they will scatter to their homes. Don’t expect the Yankees to work too many counts on that final day.

Meanwhile, yes, they will haze the rookies. Sources say that the youngsters will not enjoy their trip back to the team hotel tonight as part of it will be on foot wearing, um, interesting clothing.

I’ll check back later with the news from Boston and the lineup, if there’s a game.

Jason Giambi has no regrets and would like to return to the Yankees. There’s little chance of that, however.

Mariano Rivera returned to New York to have his shoulder examined. But Joe Girardi tried to cover that up, unsuccessfully.

————

Meanwhile, it would appear the Yankees have a problem with the credibility of their manager.

Girardi lied to reporters, writes The Daily News.

Girardi has misled reporters and been less than forthright, writes The New York Times.

Girardi did not acknowledge the shoulder injury, writes The Star-Ledger

Girardi said he wasn’t hiding information. But Rivera needs surgery, writes The New York Post

There is a seeming disconnect between Girardi and Cashman on this issue, writes Newsday.

Even Yankees.com acknowledges that “events conflicted.”

All signs report to Brian Cashman returning as GM. Once that is settled, he needs to talk to Girardi about how best to deal with injuries. It has become a problem in the clubhouse now as players have to explain that they are actually injured when the manager says something else.

The “cranky body” story may sound good. But it puts Mariano Rivera in a tough spot, one he does not want to be in. If nothing else, the Yankees need to get their stories straight.

Meanwhile, the sloppy cover-up has clouded the real issue. Why in the world was Rivera pitching four out of five days in the first place in such meaningless games? No wonder he hurt his shoulder.

I’ll try to explain this as simply as I can.

Before the game, Joe Girardi told us that Mariano Rivera went back to New York to get his standard end-of-the-season physical. He wasn’t going to pitch anyway, the manager said, because he had a “cranky body.”

Girardi was asked several times and in several ways whether Rivera had an injury to his elbow and shoulder. He denied it every time. The questions were very exact. “He said his whole body was cranky,” Girardi said.

Here, listen for yourself. This is Girardi’s pre-game:

This made no sense. Rivera lives in New York all year, he can get his physical any time. Why leave now? I’ve never once heard of a player leaving a road trip to get a “standard physical.” Beyond that, this is Mariano Rivera. It made sense to check this out.

Most of the writers called Brian Cashman. The GM said the Rivera complained about a sore shoulder after Tuesday’s game and was sent back to New York to get an MRI. The Yankees wanted to make sure their closer is OK. Cashman said he isn’t too concerned but was waiting to get the results of the MRI.

Cashman said it was not a standard physical. The New York Times, meanwhile, is reporting that Rivera could need surgery.

After the game today, Girardi stuck to the “cranky body” story and denied that Rivera ever said his shoulder hurt, which contradicts what his boss said. Let’s assume for a second that this is true. If you were the manager of the Yankees and Rivera came to you and said he had a “cranky body” wouldn’t you ask him what was wrong? It is Mariano Rivera, after all. So either Girardi is not telling the truth or he’s irresponsible.

Here is Girardi’s postgame press conference:

Girardi got contentious when asked about his misleading statements, slamming his fist down on his desk. It’s similar to what happened earlier this season when Phil Hughes, Brian Bruney, Chien-Ming Wang, Jorge Posada and Damaso Marte got hurt. Girardi’a first inclination is to be misleading.

It has gotten to the point where team officials now apologize to reporters for the manager’s actions. Nobody is sure why he does it because he gets caught every time.

I’m not going to complain about it. I’ll just ask other people questions when it comes to injuries.

I’m sure I’ll get ripped for writing this. That’s fine. Rip away. But this is Mariano Rivera we’re talking about. I’m going under the assumption that most Yankees fans are concerned about the status of their closer and would like accurate information.

If not, listen to the manager. He’s perfectly wiling to tell you just what you want to hear.

YANKEES (87-71)
Gardner CF
Cano 2B
Abreu DH
Nady RF
Giambi 1B
Betemit 3B
Ransom SS
Cabrera LF
Cervelli C
Pavano RHP

Carl Pavano (4-1, 4.99) vs. the Toronto hitters.

Roy Halladay (19-11, 2.81) vs. the New York hitters.

Notes: The Yankees have won seven straight and 10 of 11. … The Yankees are four games ahead ofthe fourth-place Jays with four games to play. … The Yankees are 15-7 in September. … Do you think Pudge Rodriguez will look back fondly on his time with the Yankees? He has had Chad Moeller and now Cervelli play in front of him.

SO LONG, IDLE: This will be the 26th and final (right?) start in four years with the Yankees for Carl Pavano. $39.95 million doesn’t get what it used to.

MR. CONSISTENT: Bobby Abreu needs one RBI to join Alex Rodrifguez and Albert Pujols as the only players to have at least 100 RBI for each of the last six seasons. Bobby also has gone eight straight seasons with at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases.

MR. SEPTEMBER: Robinson Cano is 10 of 24 with seven runs scored, four RBI and one strikeout in his last seven games.

NOT GIVING UP MUCH: Yankee pitchers have allowed 11 runs in the last seven games.

NOT SO FAST: Xavier Nady is down to .265/.346/.469 in 55 games for the Yankees. He’s at .209/.250/.349 this month. You might want to reconsider his place in Monument Park.

WHAT’S ON THE iPOD TODAY: You Got Me Rocking (Stones), Evenflow (Pearl Jam), Hungry Heart (Springsteen live, Aug. 20, 1981 in Los Angeles), The Company I Keep (Drive-By Truckers), Messin’ With The Kid (Blues Brothers), Settin’ The Woods On Fire (Hank Williams), Come See About Me (The Supremes), Lawyers, Guns and Money (the late, great Warren Zevon).

Back later with some updates.

UPDATE, 5:25 p.m.: Mariano Rivera has gone back to New York for a physical. Joe Girardi said Mo has a “cranky body” and would not say whether his shoulder or elbow is bothering him. Girardi claimed that Rivera would be available to pitch in Boston. We’ll see.

“Not necessarily,” said Girardi when asked whether Rivera had something specifically wrong.

Every player gets a physical at the end of the season. It’s unusual, however, for somebody to leave the road for one.

Girardi said that Jeter, A-Rod and Damon would return to the lineup this weekend. There is rain expected in tomorrow, however.

UPDATE, 5:36 p.m.: Congratulations to Joe Torre, Larry Bowa and Don Mattingly for leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to the National League West title. Through the Dodgers suffered a variety of injuries and poor performances by key players like Andruw Jones, Torre managed to guide them to only their second division title in 12 seasons.

The NL West is dreadful but all you can do is play the schedule you’re given. That’s 13 consecutive postseason berths for Torre.

UPDATE, 5:52 p.m.: Mike Mussina threw a bullpen today and said his elbow felt fine. He’s set for Sunday. Girardi said he would use all the regulars and everybody in the bullpen to get Moose the win.

UPDATE, 8:24 p.m.: Hope you got a good look tonight, you’ll never see Pavano in a Yankees uniform again. The great heist has come to a conclusion. Pavano leaves with $39.95 million having given the Yankees nine wins over four years.

Thanks for the memories, Carl.

UPDATE, 8:34 p.m.: In a stunning turn of events, it would seem that Girardi didn’t reveal the whole truth about an injury. Brian Cashman said that Mariano Rivera has a sore shoulder, which is why he went back to New York to get checked out. He had an MRI and the team is awaiting results. It was not a standard end-of-the-season physical.

Given that information, it would seem unlikely that Rivera will pitch this weekend.