Alex Rodriguez says he feels good enough to play, despite having seven more days on the disabled list. Yet, the Yankees have to protect themselves against that so when the cleanup hitter does return from a right quad injury he is completely healthy.
“It feels really good,” said Rodriguez, who may have another MRI exam to gauge his progress.
Asked if he could be ready to come off the shelf on May 14, the first day he is eligible, Rodriguez didn’t want to comment without talking to manager Joe Girardi.
It’s likely Rodriguez will report to Tampa this weekend and could play in two rehab minor league games Monday and Tuesday.
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Kyle Farnsworth met with Bob Watson, MLB’s top cop, yesterday at Yankee Stadium for two hours. Farnsworth was appealing a three-game suspension stemming from Watson believing Farnsworth was throwing at Manny Ramirez‘shead on April 17. The pitch didn’t hit Ramirez and Farnsworth wasn’t ejected.
Farnsworth continued to pitch well, retiring the only two batters he faced in the seventh.
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The Yankees sent infielder Alberto Gonzalez to Scanton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A) yesterday to make room for the return of Wilson Betemit, who was on the DL with conjunctivitis. Betemit, who started at third base last night, and went 1-for-4.
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Ian Kennedy allowed one hit, struck out eight and walked none in 71/3 innings in his first start for SWB last night, picking up the win over Charlotte.
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Hideki Matsui went 3-for-3 and extended his hitting streak to 15 games. . . . Kei Igawa will start Friday in Detroit. Igawa is 3-3 with a 3.86 ERA in seven starts for SWB.
Darrell Rasner, who pitched well Sunday, will start Saturday.