Alex Rodriguez admitted last night that it was a mistake coming back from his initial injury last week and that has caused him to land on the DL for the first time since 2000.

Rodriguez injured himself after an April 20 game against Baltimore running out a double play ball. He returned to the lineup after just a few days on April 25 against Cleveland, but now says that was a bad judgment call.

“The curse of being a good healer is I thought I was ready in three days,” said Rodriguez. “I made it worse. But if you ask me if I could play tonight, I’ll go out there tonight. I’ll play until I’m dead.”

His injury is classified as a Grade 2 strain and he says he’ll be ready to go after he is eligible to come off the DL on May 14.

The Yankees are already facing inconsistencies in their lineup and with a weak pitching staff they need all the offense they can get. Last night the Yankees used Alberto Gonzalez at third and failed to score more than two runs.

“It’s painful to see that lineup without me in the cleanup spot,” Rodriguez said. “We’re at a time where we need a full roster and my biggest goal is to be out there every day.”

Coming into this season Rodriguez missed just 19 games in four seasons with the Yankees. Since his first full season in the majors he has played at least 141 games in all but one year.

Taking Arod’s spot on the 25-man roster is Chris Britton.