MINNEAPOLIS — Alex Rodriguez said his workout at Target Field yesterday went well. Nevertheless, don’t look for the Yankees’ cleanup hitter’s return to the lineup before tomorrow night’s game against the Twins.
“Probably Saturday at the earliest,” manager Joe Girardi said after watching Rodriguez participate in a running program as well as taking batting practice and fielding ground balls.
Rodriguez, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee July 11, said he was encouraged but admitted he wasn’t quite ready.
“The thing I lack the most is first step quickness and opening up my gait,” Rodriguez said.
Girardi has talked to Rodriguez about his re-entry into a team that was 23-8 without Rodriguez going into last night’s game against the Twins.
“We will see how it plays out,” said Rodriguez, who believes the Yankees are better today and in the future with him at third base instead of clogging the DH spot.
“Hopefully by September I will be playing third base every day,” Rodriguez said. “With me [at third] our lineup is more rounded.”
Rodriguez said he isn’t coming to fit in by slapping singles the other way.
“To be in the middle of the lineup and give it a shot in the arm by driving in big runs,” said Rodriguez, who will reclaim the cleanup spot.
Rodriguez addressed MLB’s investigation into his participation in high-stakes poker games and the upcoming meeting with investigators from the commissioner’s office.
“The only thing I will say about [the initial report] was that it was inaccurate and unfair. I am looking forward to the meeting,” said Rodriguez, who explained he didn’t know when the meeting would take place.
Because Rodriguez is a big supporter of Miami athletics and has donated a lot of money to the baseball program, he was asked about the current scandal involving the Hurricanes programs that have centered around illegal gifts given to athletes by jailed booster Nevin Shapiro.
“I am sad about the whole thing,” said Rodriguez, who claimed he has never met Shapiro.