Tampa, FL (My Sportsbook) - New York Yankees relief ace Mariano Rivera worked a scoreless inning in extended spring training on Monday and could be on target to return from a groin injury this weekend.

Rivera has been recovering from a strained groin he sustained in the final week of spring training in March. He has been working out in Tampa since the injury.

The veteran righthander threw 17 pitches in Monday's game, allowing a hit with one strikeout. He then threw 15 more pitches on the side.

The Yankees expect Rivera to pitch again on Wednesday and hope he will join the team for its weekend series in Texas.

The 33-year-old righthander spent part of last June on the DL with a strained right groin, but initially said this injury didn't appear to be as serious. He had another stint on the disabled list last July because of a strained right shoulder.

Rivera has spent his entire eight-year career with the Yankees and has a lifetime mark of 38-27 with a 2.60 ERA and 243 saves. Last season he was 1-4 with 28 saves and a 2.74 earned run average in 45 appearances.

The Yankees, however, received some bad news about set-up man Steve Karsay. He has been sidelined all season with bursitis in his right shoulder and on Monday shut himself down after reporting pain while throwing off a mound for the first time in weeks.

Karsay threw just 11 pitches on Monday before calling it quits. The Yankees don't expect to have him back in the near future.

New York also made a roster move on Monday, designating outfielder Chris Latham for assignment and recalling utilityman Charles Gipson from Triple-A Columbus.

Latham appeared in just four games for the Yankees this season, going 2-for-2 with three runs scored and a stolen base.

If he clears waivers, Latham said he might opt to sign with a team in Japan rather than play for Columbus in the minors.

Latham is a career .202 hitter with three homers and 19 runs batted in over 110 major league games.

Gipson was signed to a minor-league contract on April 7 and played in seven games with Columbus. He spent five big league seasons with Seattle and batted .236.

The Yankees decided to make the roster move because Gipson can also play the infield, giving manager Joe Torre more options with his bench.