KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Ramiro Mendoza might have thrown his last pitch for the New York Yankees this year.

Mendoza will be shut down by the Yankees because of pain in his right shoulder, prompting manager Joe Torre to say Thursday, "I can't think of what condition he might pitch in again this season."

Mendoza was placed on the disabled list Aug. 3 for the second time this season with tendinitis. He was originally put on the DL on June 25, and had pitched only once in between, giving up four runs in one-third of an inning against Minnesota on July 29.

Torre said he was encouraged with the progress Mendoza had made in two simulated games. But "yesterday he couldn't throw," the manager said before Thursday night's game against Kansas City.

"There may be something going on that we don't know about," Torre said. "We're going to shut him down."

Mendoza has been one of New York's most valuable pitchers, mainly because of his versatility. The two-time World Series champion Yankees lead the AL East.

Mendoza was 7-4 with a 4.25 ERA this season in 14 games, nine of them starts.

Torre said that Mendoza was discouraged by the news.

"You could tell by the look on his face," Torre said. "He tried to smile but it wasn't real. I told him, `You'll come back, unless you've lied to me about your age. If you're really 42, I can't offer a lot of encouragement.' That made him smile, but it didn't last."

Torre didn't know if Mendoza, 28, would be sent back to New York or to rehabilitation in Florida.

In Tuesday night's game against Kansas City, the Yankees lost pitcher David Cone to a separated left shoulder. It is uncertain when Cone will pitch again.