New York ? Alex Rodriguez was not in the New York Yankees’ starting lineup Tuesday night because of a sore toe.

The All-Star third baseman fouled a ball off his left big toe in the fifth inning of Monday night’s 4-2 win over Seattle and came out in the eighth after making a career-worst three errors. X-rays on Tuesday were negative, and Rodriguez said he would be back at third base Wednesday.

“It’ll probably be sore for a few days. But you play with a lot of soreness,” Rodriguez said.

Yankees manager Joe Torre said a day off for A-Rod “probably wouldn’t hurt.”

“He was pretty uncomfortable last night,” Torre said. “I’d rather give him a day.”

The slugger entered as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning with the Yankees trailing 4-2, and he popped out with a runner on second, ending the inning. He remained in the game at third base.

Rodriguez’s defensive miscues and 0-for-4 night at the plate drew more boos from Yankees fans Monday night. Just the day before, he played very well in the field and hit a two-run homer against the Chicago White Sox.

“The good thing about last night’s game is that I probably had my worst game of the year and we still won,” said Rodriguez, a Gold Glove shortstop in Texas.

“Third base is a position that I’ve got to keep working at. I never had that feeling at shortstop.

“I’m still learning. I’m trying my best.”

Nick Green started at third base for the Yankees on Tuesday night against the Mariners and got hits his first three times up, including two doubles.

New York is also missing injured All-Stars Gary Sheffield, Hideki Matsui and Robinson Cano.