NEW YORK -- The Red Sox had to scratch indispensable leadoff man Johnny Damon from Saturday afternoon's lineup, as the center fielder has experienced lingering pain from the left rotator cuff he injured while diving back into second base against the Orioles on Sept. 4.

"After the game [Friday] night, we got him a cortisone shot in that shoulder," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "It's not in the joint. He's just trying to get the inflammation out of there. He may even be available today, we'll see."

Because Damon recovers from injuries as swiftly as any player in baseball, Francona suspects he will be back in the lineup on Sunday afternoon, when Randy Johnson takes the ball for the Yankees.

But the Red Sox won't bring Damon back before he's ready.

"I'll never play a guy and hurt him," Francona said. "I already talked to [team medical director] Tom Gill this morning. He thinks he can play [Sunday]. He was actually pretty upbeat about him being available today. I don't know if we'll do that, but that's good news."

The Red Sox adjusted their lineup by putting Tony Graffanino in the leadoff spot and playing Gabe Kapler in center field.

Miller heads to Portland: Right-hander Wade Miller worked out at Yankee Stadium before the game, and then got ready to join Double-A Portland for a brief rehab assignment. Miller, sidelined since Aug. 9 with right shoulder stiffness, will pitch for the Sea Dogs on Sunday if their Eastern League playoff series extends to a deciding fifth game. If Portland clinches on Saturday, Miller will pitch the opener in the next round, which would take place on Tuesday.

"He's probably 50-60 pitches, depending on how he feels and things like that," said Francona.

Easing in Harville: One of the few bright spots from Friday's game was an impressive performance by recently acquired reliever Chad Harville, who struck out two in one inning of work.

Francona is in a difficult position with Harville, as he's trying to find out in the middle of a pennant race exactly what he can expect from a pitcher who didn't join the team until Sept. 1.

"He has a good arm," Francona said. "It gets easier as you get to know guys and get a feel."

No separation: How even has the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry been since the start of the 2003 season? Entering Saturday, the teams were 33-33 in the past 66 contests (including the postseason).

Over that span, the Red Sox have hit .282 against the Yankees, while New York batters have hit .256 against Boston pitchers. The Red Sox also lead in homers (101-78), runs (376-339) and slugging percentage (.471-.421)

On deck: Veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (15-10, 4.29 ERA) faces off against Johnson (13-8, 4.05 ERA) in Sunday's series finale.