TAMPA – Alex Rodriguez returned to third base last night but didn’t test his tender right shoulder by trying to fire lasers across the infield.
“It felt good but I didn’t try to throw anything more than 70 percent,” said Rodriguez, who was charged with a throwing error in the top of the first of a 4-0 Yankees win over the Reds. “I want to ease back into it and not be stupid.”
Jorge Posada also returned from a right shoulder injury and caught. He went 1-for-3.
Joe Girardi said he won’t play Posada today because it’s a day game after a night game. Rodriguez is slated to play.
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Johnny Damon fouled a ball off his foot in the first inning and left the game.
“We will see how he is [today],” Girardi said. “It’s not something we are concerned about.”
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There are three Yankee bullpen spots open and Girardi has no idea who will fill them at this point of the exhibition season.
“You have to wait to see arm strength,” Girardi said if anybody had separated himself from the group. “Usually, it’s the last 10 days or two weeks.”
Girardi said the toughness of the decisions was what he anticipated.
“We expect them to be tough because there are so many quality arms,” Girardi said. “You expect it to be difficult.”
With Mariano Rivera, Kyle Farnsworth, Joba Chamberlain and La Troy Hawkins to go with the five starters, Girardi has three spots open. Competing for those positions are Sean Henn, Kei Igawa, Billy Traber, Brian Bruney, Edwar Ramirez, Chris Britton, Ross Ohlendorf, Jose Veras, Darrell Rasner, Jeff Karstens, Jonathan Albaladejo and Scott Patterson.
Henn, who is out of options, was a favorite when camp opened but since he isn’t considered a lefty specialist, he isn’t a lock.
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Catcher Francisco Cervelli will travel to New York today to have his fractured right wrist examined. If Cervelli, who broke the wrist in a collision at home plate with the Rays’ Elliot Johnson on Saturday, needs surgery he will be out longer than the original guess of 8-10 weeks.
“He is doing okay, he has a good attitude,” Girardi said. “I told him this is a setback but it’s minor. I also told him not to get too anxious by testing it.”
On Sunday, Rays senior advisor Don Zimmer was critical of Girardi’s comments about players who try to knock over catchers in spring training games. Girardi said he didn’t speak to Zimmer about his comments.