NEW YORK -- Center fielder Bernie Williams was out of the New York Yankees' starting lineup again Sunday because of a slightly strained right side of his rib cage and could be sidelined until midweek.

	Williams

Williams is batting .309 with 27 home runs and 107 RBI for the AL East leaders.

"I think it will be a few days," Yankees manager Joe Torre said.

Williams described his discomfort as a "dull ache," not the cutting pain that put him on the disabled list for nearly a month in 1993 with a similar injury.

The All-Star outfielder was scratched from Saturday's game against the Anaheim Angels after hurting himself during batting practice. He had started each of New York's 118 games before being injured.

Clay Bellinger started twice in Williams' absence. Normally a reserve infielder, Bellinger had never started in center field in the majors until this weekend.

Williams has been in a recent slump, with just three hits in his previous 32 at-bats.

Williams has been on the disabled list five times in his career. He was hoping this problem does not send him there again.

"It is a dangerous injury," Williams said Saturday. "It can put you out for a while, but I really didn't feel it pop."