TAMPA, Fla. — As he closed the passenger-side window of his Maybach to end an interview with reporters following his workout yesterday, Alex Rodriguez was asked if he was OK with the Yankees.
“Absolutely,” Rodriguez said. “I’m ready to get back on the field. All’s good.”
That’s hard to believe.
Rodriguez was called out by general manager Brian Cashman last week after the third baseman reported on his Twitter account he had been cleared to play by Dr. Bryan Kelly, who performed his most recent hip surgery. His camp also floated the idea he could start rehab games tomorrow.
The Yankees still haven’t set a date for his debut, and Cashman said yesterday via text they had a conference call Friday about the third baseman and would have another tomorrow following workouts.
Rodriguez declined to make any new predictions.
“Everything’s coming along,” said Rodriguez, who started off by saying he only would answer questions about his workout, so there was no update on his alleged involvement in the Biogenesis scandal. “I think we’re on schedule.”
Asked what that schedule was, Rodriguez smiled and said, “We’ll see you tomorrow, guys.”
Cashman only would reiterate Rodriguez is on schedule to return “sometime after the All-Star break,” while manager Joe Girardi added both Rodriguez and Derek Jeter likely would need the full 20 days allowed for a rehab assignment.
Rodriguez did say he felt good in his comeback from January hip surgery.
“I feel like my swing is definitely getting back to form,” he said. “I hit a ball to right-center the other day and thought, ‘Man, I couldn’t hit a ball like that last year to save my life.’ It’s getting better.”
Rodriguez worked out indoors yesterday because of weather. He took swings in the batting cages at Steinbrenner Field with Eduardo Nunez, who is coming back from his terminal oblique injury.
The third baseman painted a bright picture regarding his rehab process.
“I feel great,” Rodriguez said. “I’m having fun. It’s exciting to be back on the field and it’s been nice and hot down here for all of us. I just can’t wait to get back. I’m feeling pretty darn good.”
He reported no problems with his hip.
“So far, no issues,” Rodriguez said. “I’m just working really hard. I just can’t [wait] to get back on the field to help my team win.”
He also is going full-speed on sliding drills, which he thought was a good sign.
“It’s one step closer,” Rodriguez said.
* Nunez has played in two rehab games, and though he said he is pain-free, he doesn’t believe he is completely over the injury.
I feel good, [but] I’m just not confident in myself yet, because I’ve had two setbacks,” said Nunez, who has been out since being removed from a game on May 5 with pain in his side. “But I’m fine. There’s no pain and I don’t have to get treatment.”
He said he didn’t know how much longer he would be in Tampa and added he knows he is missing an opportunity to play every day with Jeter sidelined.
“I don’t think about that,” Nunez said. “I turn the page and work to get better to get [to the Yankees] as soon as I can.”
Jeter had simulated at-bats against Cuban lefty prospect Omar Luis and also ran the arc around the bases, another sign of progress for the shortstop.