PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic — Even though the suspension noose appears to be tightening around Alex Rodriguez’s neck, you would never know it by his social calendar.
Rodriguez is scheduled to appear Friday night and Saturday at the David Ortiz Celebrity Golf Classic at the Sanctuary Cap Cana resort.
This will be only A-Rod’s second appearance at the classic, which has been held for six years.
And A-Rod is getting support from players, both past and present, at the event.
One of his biggest backers is Big Papi, who is coming off winning the World Series MVP award.
“I’m here to support Alex in any way that I can,’’ Ortiz, 38, told The Post following a game of beach volleyball with family and friends. “We have been friends for a long time and we will support each other. I am happy that he is going to be here. … It means a lot to me that he is coming.’’
A-Rod is awaiting arbitrator Fredric Horowitz’s ruling on his 211-game doping suspension. The ruling is expected to come early next month.
Rodriguez told reporters in Santo Domingo on Thursday, after meeting with Danilo Medina, President of the Dominican Republic: “The only thing I can say regarding this case, and I can’t say very much, is that we are feeling optimistic. I feel very happy to be on vacation here in my country and spend some time with our president. [Friday] I am going to support David Ortiz and [his charity].’’
Several years ago, when Ortiz was struggling, which is hard to believe now, Rodriguez stood along the third-base line at Fenway Park before a game, and gave Ortiz a detailed 20-minute pep talk.
“How could you not love Big Papi,’’ A-Rod told me at the time. “He is a good friend.’’
Ortiz was not alone in speaking up for A-Rod. Former Yankee Mariano Duncan, who is a coach in the Cubs organization, has known Rodriguez for many years.
“It’s awesome for Alex that he is coming,’’ Duncan told me. “We are all human beings and we make mistakes. I know Alex since he started. We used to play golf all the time in Miami and I know him before he started making all the money. I am so glad that he is coming so he can be around everybody. He’s a part of baseball and I support him 100 percent.’’
Orioles outfielder Adam Jones was one of the early arrivals. When told Rodriguez will participate in a number of events at the tournament, including the pairings party and the celebrity auction, he said, “Nice, I’m glad he’s coming. He’s part of the baseball family.’’
Noted former player and current MLB Network analyst, Sean Casey, “This is a small fraternity of guys and whether you played on the field with Alex or against him, you appreciate his abilities and the way he has gone about his business over the years. I respect the way he played the game.’’
Rodriguez is not expected to play in the golf tournament but a “New York City Lunch’’ with A-Rod is being auctioned. After a slow start, which included one Brooklyn fan wanting to sit down with A-Rod to question him on performance-enhancing drugs, the bidding rose to about $4,000.
Other items include private hitting lessons with Ortiz, two tickets to the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Launch event, a meet and greet and four tickets to a Robinson Cano game, now featuring the Mariners, of course, that includes a two-night hotel stay. All items can be bid for at davidortizchildrensfund.org.
Cano was hopeful of arriving Saturday, but was busy in Seattle on Thursday with his introductory press conference. Former Giants football great Lawrence Taylor was warmly greeted by Ortiz at Thursday night’s VIP reception.
The local support in the Dominican is strong for Rodriguez, despite all his issues. Leo Lopez, a reporter for Deportes por Dentro, said the feeling here is “Alex is a victim.’’
There is no denying A-Rod has created many of his own problems. He has been caught lying. He has a PED past. The Biogenesis scandal will not go away and MLB continues its battle against him. It is an ugly chapter in baseball history Rodriguez has helped write, but, in so many ways, he remains safe at home in the game.