MLB

A-Rod opens rehab with HR

Alex Rodriguez wasted no time in his first minor league rehab game last night, blasting a home run on the first pitch he saw while playing for Single-A Tampa against Dunedin.

“For me, the home run meant a little bit more . . . because the last several weeks I was playing in New York I wasn’t able to drive the ball,” Rodriguez said. “I probably didn’t hit a home run for like, over 70 at-bats.

“My team expects me to hit the ball and drive the ball out of the park. That’s what I expect out of myself, too.”

BOX SCORE

Rodriguez, working his way back from right knee surgery, was the designated hitter. He hit the solo homer to left center in the first inning and added an RBI double in the third before striking out looking in his final at-bat. He is scheduled to play third base today for Tampa.

General manager Brian Cashman said Rodriguez could play defense for approximately half of today’s game, then possibly play an intrasquad game tomorrow. Rodriguez would take Monday off before moving up to play for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“That’s the preliminary plan,” Cashman said. “Weather can change things.”

Cashman said it was “possible” Rodriguez would return for the series opener at Minnesota next Thursday.

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Derek Jeter was tight-lipped when asked before the Yankees’ 5-1 loss to the Rays how difficult it is to witness Jorge Posada struggling not having a regular lineup spot anymore, but the Yankees captain did say he empathizes with his best friend.

“It’s tough. Somebody out there on the field not out there, they want to be out there, you feel for ’em,” Jeter said. “But other than that, he’s still a big part of this team.

“I know he wants to play, I know he wants to contribute. But anything beyond that, you’d have to ask him.”

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Jeter will be honored for his 3,000th hit in a pregame ceremony today. The Yankees encourage fans to be seated by 3:45 p.m.

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Cashman said it’s doubtful the Yankees will add anyone in a trade before the final Aug. 31 deadline — such a player would have to pass through waivers.

“I think all our activity took place at the deadline and what you see is what you’re going to get,” he said. “It doesn’t guarantee that there won’t be some changes. I highly doubt it. It’s not likely that you’re going to see anything between now and August 31st because of the waivers and guys not clearing.”

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In Boston this past weekend, oft-injured Eric Chavez said he wasn’t sure if he could handle an everyday role again. But Chavez has played 11 of the Yankees’ last 15 games and he said physically he has been surviving.

“My first week back from the DL was really hard,” he said, admitting he wondered if he would make it through. “Over the last week, my body has been responding and getting a lot better.”

With Tampa Bay’s ace lefty, David Price, on the hill last night, Chavez did not play.

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During his pregame rant about A.J. Burnett, Cashman also defended Giants GM Jerry Reese for losing wide receiver Steve Smith to the Eagles.

“If you turn on the radio stations, the New York Giants just lost their third receiver to the Philadelphia Eagles,” Cashman said. “It’s not their first receiver. It’s not their second receiver. It’s a guy coming off microfracture surgery. Relax!”