While Mariano Rivera played catch yesterday to start his rehabilitation, there is still no word on when or if he will return this season.

“We have a long way to go, but at least we got the clock moving,” Joe Torre said.

Rivera has a strained muscle in his throwing shoulder. If he doesn’t return, then Mike Stanton, Steve Karsay and Ramiro Mendoza are expected to share the postseason closing duties. Along with Jeff Weaver, Torre could have Orlando Hernandez in the bullpen.

“If there is any setback, then we all have the concern is making sure you don’t push the envelope with him because he is too important for the future of this team,” Torre said. “If we have to sacrifice this year, that’s what we’d do.”

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Bernie Williams DH’ed for the second consecutive game. Torre said Williams could’ve played the outfield, but Torre wanted to give Williams’ sore left knee a break.

Jorge Posada’s 36th double of the season gave him the most ever for a Yankee catcher, surpassing Bill Dickey’s mark from 1937.

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Rondell White’s post-season roster isn’t assured. Torre continues to try to instill confidence in White, but not much seems to take.

“I want him to be [part of the post-season roster],” Torre said. “We do have another option now that we brought [Juan] Rivera into the mix.”

White started in left for the second consecutive game last night and flied out to the warning track in the third. He went 0-for-3, extending his slump to 8-for-80.

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Last night was the fifth game of a 14-game homestand. Today is the 69th straight day the Yankees have had sole possession of first place.