KANSAS CITY, Mo. – All-Star center fielder Bernie Williams left the New York Yankees on Monday to be with his ailing father in Puerto Rico.

	B. Williams

Manager Joe Torre said he had no way of knowing how long Williams would be gone.

"He called me this morning and his brother had called him and said his dad was in the hospital," Torre said prior to the Yankees' game in Kansas City.

"I said, 'You go and do what you have to do. When you know something, let us know.' "

Also Monday, the Yankees placed right-hander Christian Parker on the disabled list with tightness in his right shoulder. Torre said no MRI was scheduled.

Parker (0-1), who was scheduled to start Wednesday against the Royals, will be replaced by left-hander Randy Keisler, who was recalled from Triple-A Columbus.

Williams, a four-time All-Star with the Yankees, was hitting .278 with one home run and four RBI in the first six games for the three-time defending World Series champions. Last season he had 30 home runs and 121 RBI.

"Hopefully, it won't be too long and his dad will be out of the hospital," Torre said. "I really don't know the nature of the problem. But I know his dad has been in and out of the hospital for a couple of years."

Torre replaced Williams in center field with Michael Coleman.

"He has showed us he can play center field," Torre said.

Torre said he had no hesitation allowing Williams to fly out immediately.

"If it's immediate family ... you know that if something happens and you're not there, it would really have an effect for a while," Torre said.

"Bernie is a very sensitive individual to begin with. In essence, he called me and asked me what I thought. I told him, 'You do what you need to do. From talking to you, it sounds like you need to be with your dad.' "