FORT MYERS, Fla. – Yankees right fielder Gary Sheffield had an MRI exam Sunday on his sore right thumb.

“It’s not something we’re holding our breath about,” manager Joe Torre said after the Yankees beat Boston 11-7 Sunday.

General manager Brian Cashman said results would not be available until Monday.

Sheffield jammed the thumb when he slipped trying to chase down Orlando Hudson’s second-inning triple during Saturday’s 14-5 win over Toronto. Sheffield batted twice after that, getting a single and a walk.

“It was a little sore today,” Torre said. “It’s a little puffy. He’s not concerned about it.”

Sheffield had not been scheduled to make Sunday’s road trip.

Close call

Boston shortstop Pokey Reese stretched to get to Alex Rodriguez’s hard shot up the middle in the fourth and thought he threw in time for the out at first. Umpire Chuck Meriwether called A-Rod safe.

“The umpire kind of threw one away,” Reese said, “but it’s all good. It’s spring training. Everybody’s working hard, but I need that play during the year.”

Reese, Boston’s regular second baseman, played shortstop for the first time in about four years because Nomar Garciaparra had a minor injury to his right Achilles’ tendon.

“I thought Pokey was one of the best shortstops in the league when he was playing second,” Boston manager Terry Francona said.

Contreras struggles

Jose Contreras allowed four runs – one earned – and five hits in two innings. He had missed Tuesday’s intrasquad game because of lower back stiffness.

“My back was fine,” Contreras said through an interpreter. “When I was on the mound, I felt strong but was up in the zone.”

Gabe Kapler reached on shortstop Derek Jeter’s error leading off the first. He stole second and scored on Bill Mueller’s single. Kevin Millar later drove two runs with a two-out double.

“He was getting behind everybody,” Torre said. “Doing that, he had to throw a lot of fastballs for strikes, and it makes a very loud sound.”

Pokey Reese hit a second-inning solo homer off Contreras, who threw 23 of 39 pitches for strikes.

Rivalry rookie

Curt Schilling has only been in Boston’s training camp for a few weeks but already feels the intensity of the rivalry.

“Boston and New York, it’s different than anyplace else,” he said. “I’ve only been here three weeks, and I know it.”

Schilling originally wanted to be traded from Arizona only to the Yankees or Philadelphia, his former team. Then he was impressed with Boston’s pursuit.

Even though Sunday’s game had fans buzzing, it was still spring training.

“It’s not the same,” Schilling said. “This is not April. It doesn’t count. As much as

everybody wants it to, it doesn’t.”

Shorts

Jeter and Boston SS Nomar Garciaparra hugged and talked during batting practice. One Red Sox fan yelled out, “Don’t hug him (Jeter), he’s a bum.” … Jeter was asked about the possibility of Garciaparra, who is eligible for free agency, signing with Yankees. “I’m sure he’s going to have a lot of options,” Jeter said. … CF Bernie Williams, who had his appendix removed last month, was to start light jogging Monday. Torre said Williams is scheduled to “swing the bat a little” Thursday. … Mariano Rivera struck out two during a perfect third and has fanned four of six batters this spring. … 1B/OF Tony Clark, hit in the side by a ninth-inning pitch, said he was OK. … RHP Chien-Ming Wang left in the fourth with an injured ankle. … OF Darren Bragg (sore wrist) could play Monday after missing two games.