Toronto ? Even the highest payroll in baseball couldn’t prepare the New York Yankees for what they face now — playing without leader Derek Jeter for at least a month.

Jeter was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday after dislocating his left shoulder on opening night. The Yankees expect to be without their All-Star shortstop for much longer, and it could be up to four months if he needs surgery.

“We miss him when he’s out of the lineup for one game,” manager Joe Torre said.

Jeter will fly with the team to Tampa, Fla., after tonight’s game and have an MRI test conducted by Dr. Allen Miller on Thursday. The Yankees, who open a three-game series with the Devil Rays on Friday, hold spring training in Tampa and have extensive facilities there.

“I’m sure there will be a second opinion after that. Then the doctors will get together and consult and determine a course of action,” general manager Brian Cashman said.

The test will show the extent of the damage and whether Jeter needs surgery, said Dr. Jonathan Glashow, a shoulder specialist.

Erick Almonte will get most of the time there while Jeter is out after being called up from Triple-A Columbus Tuesday. Enrique Wilson started at shortstop Tuesday.

Jeter hurt his shoulder in the third inning Monday when he slid headfirst going from first to third on a groundout.

Toronto catcher Ken Huckaby, covering third because of an overshifted infield, landed on Jeter’s shoulder in a violent collision. Jeter was down for more than 10 minutes, writhing in pain as concerned teammates surrounded him.

Some of the Yankees thought it was a dirty play. Huckaby called it a “freak” play and left a message on Jeter’s cell phone, apologizing.

Torre said Huckaby was just being aggressive, and Jeter said he wasn’t sure whether the catcher could have avoided the collision.

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter leaves the field after dislocating his shoulder. Jeter was hurt Monday at Toronto when he collided with Blue Jays catcher Ken Huckaby. The All-Star will miss at least a month.

“I’m just angry I’m going to miss a long time. I’m not happy about it,” Jeter said. “I’ve never done this before. I have no idea how long it will take. “

With a payroll of about $150 million — at least $30 million higher than any other team — the Yankees usually have the depth to overcome injuries at most positions.

At shortstop, the Yankees aren’t as deep. Jeter, a five-time All-Star, has been the Yankees’ leader during their run of four World Series titles and five AL pennants since 1996.

He has played at least 148 games each season, going on the disabled list only three times with minor injuries.

Almonte was unpacking his car in Columbus on Monday night when Rob Thomson, the vice president of minor league development, called and told him to be ready.

“I wasn’t expecting it. I always want to play in the big leagues. I never expected a guy like Jeter to go down,” he said. “He’s a guy who is a future Hall of Famer. He’s my idol.”

Almonte, hit .235 in 66 games last season at Triple-A Columbus before being demoted to Double-A Norwich, where he batted .241 in 53 games.

“I don’t expect the kid to come in here and be what Derek Jeter is,” Torre said. “On the Yankees, we probably get more attention than anyone else. This kid will be under a magnifying glass.”