Yankees Manager Joe Girardi Benches Struggling Jorge Posada

It looks like Jorge Posada's days as a Yankee could be numbered.

Before Sunday night's series finale' against the Red Sox, manager Joe Girardi told Posada that he's not going to be the Yankees designated hitter any longer.

"He said he's going to put the best lineup on the field, and he doesn't know when I'm going to DH again, so right now I'm sitting the bench," Posada told ESPNNewYork.com's Andrew Marchand.

Since mid-May Posada was only in the lineup against righties as he struggled to hit lefties all season.  But now, he'll be on the bench against either for the foreseeable future.

Posada is hitting .230 with nine homers and 31 RBIs this season. Since the All-Star Break, Posada has not hit a home run. In those 17 games, he has a .232 average with just two RBIs.

Posada's benching may lead to the Yankees' calling up Jesus Montero from AAA Scranton in the near future - a move that's been expected for some time.  However, Girardi said that wasn't happening just yet.  In the meantime, Eric Chavez will be Posada's replacement as the DH.

According to Girardi, the Yankees have no plans to release Posada.

This will likely be Posada's final year in pinstripes.  He's in the last season of a four-year, $52.4 million deal.