CLEVELAND -- The New York Yankees were without their starting middle infield for Tuesday night's game against the Cleveland Indians, losing Derek Jeter and Alfonso Soriano to hand injuries.

The pair were hit with pitches by Boston's Pedro Martinez on Monday, and the Yankees decided to take the safe route to recovery.

Jeter, who was hit on the right hand, took one round of batting practice when manager Joe Torre decided he had seen enough and gave his shortstop the night off.

Soriano tested his left hand earlier, and the All-Star was benched because he couldn't grip a bat.

Erick Almonte, recalled on Monday from Triple-A Columbus as insurance, started at shortstop. Enrique Wilson batted leadoff and played second for the series opener against the Indians.

Jeter lined out to center as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning of New York's 4-0 loss.

"I put him in because I was trying to win the game,'' Torre said after the Yankees got just one hit off rookie Billy Traber. "Derek hit the ball well. It looks like he'll be able to play tomorrow. He wasn't that far from being ready to go tonight.''

Torre trusted that Jeter would be up front with him about how he felt, but the manager decided to take the decision of whether to play away from his captain.

"I know he wants to,'' Torre said before BP. "I know he's very courageous. But I know he's not dumb.''

Earlier, Jeter was confident he would be in the starting lineup. His hand was sore, but he wanted to play.

"As long as it's not broken, I can play with the pain,'' Jeter said.

Soriano was hit on the outside of his hand in the first inning by Martinez in New York's 2-1 win over the Red Sox. Jeter followed Soriano to the plate and got plunked.

"I can't swing a bat,'' said Soriano, who tested his hand about four hours before game time. "I can hold it, but have now power and no grip. I wanted to take BP but I can't. Maybe I can be a pinch runner.''

Soriano still doesn't know if he'll have to go on the 15-day disabled list, and he's hoping that he doesn't have to miss next week's All-Star Game in Chicago.

"I hope it doesn't take that long,'' Soriano said.

Jeter laughed when told that Martinez, who has a habit of pitching high and tight, said he didn't mean to hit either batter.

"Of course,'' Jeter said. "I don't think there's ever been a pitcher who said they tried to hit somebody.''