There’s still no way to know how this is going to end, if Alex Rodriguez can still play major league baseball or at an elite level after undergoing a second hip surgery in January.
And the possibility Major League Baseball will suspend him in the Biogenesis mess remains real. Rodriguez has denied any involvement with the South Florida anti-aging clinic.
Yet, Rodriguez’s attempt to get back to The Bronx moves forward tonight, when he begins a rehab assignment with Single-A Charleston (S.C.).
At least for now, the third baseman and the Yankees appear to be in agreement on something.
Rodriguez was cleared yesterday to begin a 20-day rehab assignment and, following a conference call with team officials, the Yankees made the announcement, meaning the 38-year-old is finally ready to take the field again. He is scheduled to play a minimum of three innings.
“I’m actually very excited,” Rodriguez said as he drove out of the Yankees’ minor league complex in Tampa. “It will be the first game I’ve played in, maybe, over eight months. It’s been a long time. And it will be great to suit up again. It gets me one step closer to helping my team win in New York.’’
The announcement came a week after Rodriguez helped spark another controversy, when he said on his Twitter account he had been cleared to play in games by the surgeon who performed his second hip surgery, Dr. Bryan Kelly.
General manager Brian Cashman erupted at the news and told the third baseman to “shut the f – – – up. When the Yankees want to announce something, [we will].”
That finally happened yesterday.
“We fully expect him to take the 20 days,” Cashman said by phone, adding the team’s woeful performance at third base would have no impact on Rodriguez’s return. “You can’t rush health.”
When asked if the Yankees’ issues were behind them, the GM said: “We’ve announced his rehab schedule and we’re ready to get started. That’s all we can do.”
Reaction in the Yankees’ clubhouse at Target Field was about what you would expect: A step forward.
“I know he wants to get back and I am looking forward to having him back as soon as possible,’’ center fielder Brett Gardner said.
Mariano Rivera acknowledged Rodriguez’s return would be helpful to the third baseman and the team, but cautioned: “Right now we have to do it with what have here.’’
Rodriguez said he did not need another visit to a doctor after speaking on a conference call.
“No, but we’ve talked to all our doctors and everyone’s approved it,” Rodriguez said. “We’ve been in communication for a little while. The plan was to chat again as a team, collectively, today and we’re just ready to go.”
For now, he’s focused on playing in his first games since last year’s playoff disaster, when he was pinch-hit for and benched.
“It’s all very positive,” Rodriguez said of his recent conversations with the Yankees. “We’re all looking in the same direction: to get back to New York as soon as possible.”
That road begins tonight at 7:05, when Charleston hosts Rome.
“We’re working with scheduling,” Rodriguez said of why he’s heading to Charleston. “There’s rain all over the East Coast and we’re just trying to run away from the weather.”
He figures to also have stops with Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before eventually making it back to the Yankees.
Rodriguez’s last act at the minor league complex was to leave his car running outside, head back into the building and emerge a minute later holding his glove up to reporters.
“I can’t go without my glove,” he said.
But he will go with attention because he is Rodriguez.
“It’s definitely a step in the right direction,’’ manager Joe Girardi said before the Yankees stopped their five-game losing streak with a 10-4 win over the Twins last night. “He must be feeling good and moving well. We will see how it goes.’’