If you could bet money on certain players getting injured, it would be a sure thing with Jason Giambi every time. Saturday while rounding second base the slugger came up limping and left the game in the fifth inning due to a sore left groin.

Giambi was not in the lineup Sunday and is expected to miss another couple of games, but will hopefully manage to stay off the DL. According to manager Joe Girardi they are temporarily keeping him out of games just to keep things from getting worse.

“Even if he says he’s OK, I’m not sure he’ll be in there because we may give him an extra day to make sure it doesn’t blow up,” Girardi said.

Without Giambi in the lineup the Yankees would like to start Shelley Duncan, but he is finishing up a two-game suspension and won’t be back until Monday. Without Duncan the Bombers started Wilson Betemit at first on Sunday. Expect more of the same on Monday. Girardi may start Morgan Ensberg for the first time this season Monday, but with right handed pitcher Jason Hammel starting it isn’t likely.

When Giambi comes back he will likely be the DH for at least a few days to keep his fragile body from breaking down, but ultimately Girardi wants him in the field. “We can move people around, though obviously we want him to play first base for us,” Girardi said.

Look for the BALCO-linked slugger to be back as early as Tuesday, but don’t hold your breath.