BOSTON -- Alex Rodriguez received a cortisone shot in his sprained left thumb on Monday, and the Yankees third baseman has been told by doctors not to swing a bat.

Rodriguez said he thinks the earliest he’ll be able to swing is Thursday, which is the Yankees’ series finale against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mostly likely, the first day he could play again will be Friday at Yankee Stadium against Toronto.

"The one thing is, it’s so frustrating to come here, it’s the last time we come here for the regular season,” said Rodriguez, whose sprain is slightly worse than a Grade 1 but not as bad as a Grade 2. "It hurts like hell just to sit on the sidelines watching.”

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Rodriguez was able to do some work Tuesday, running in the outfield and taking grounders at third base. He said he’s been told the thumb will get better, but it’s alarming that the injury recurred.

Rodriguez missed two games last week against Oakland, then returned to play last Thursday, Friday and, after Saturday’s rainouts, Sunday’s first game of a doubleheader.

He then sat out Sunday’s nightcap and Monday’s series finale in Baltimore.

Rodriguez did say he’s been told he can play through it without risking further injury.

“The doctors assured me with a Grade 1, I should be OK," he said.

Rodriguez has played four games since July 7.

“We want it to heal and we believe it will heal,” Joe Girardi said. “It may take a few days but we believe it will heal.”

Derek Jeter returned to the lineup after missing one game with a bruised knee.

Tuesday's Yankees lineup:

Gardner LF

Jeter SS

Granderson CF

Teixeira 1B

Cano 2B

Swisher RF

Chavez 3B

Posada DH

Cervelli C

Sabathia P

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