MLB

Yankees co-owner Hal follows Cashman, calls out A-Rod

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Alex Rodriguez has taken shots from Yankee brass for two straight days — and he hasn’t even failed in the playoffs this year.

While the third baseman continues rehabbing his hip in Tampa, Hal Steinbrenner was in The Bronx yesterday admitting the obvious.

“There have no doubt been times when we’ve been disappointed in him and we’ve conveyed that to him,” the owner said yesterday. “He understands that. Everybody’s human. Everybody makes mistakes. If you’ve got a guy over the course of 10 years, there are gonna be times … any of us make mistakes.”

Steinbrenner’s remarks came a day after GM Brian Cashman told ESPN he didn’t think the third baseman would be able to live up to his massive contract.

In addition to his reduced production and his inability to perform in the postseason, Rodriguez’s name surfaced in the records of an anti-aging clinic that is being investigated by MLB for possible ties to performance enhancing drugs.

Steinbrenner said the Yankees’ relationship with the star hasn’t changed in light of MLB’s investigation.

“We haven’t been told anything, so it hasn’t complicated things at all,” Steinbrenner said. “Innocent until proven guilty, right?”

With four years and $86 million remaining on his contract after this season, Steinbrenner knows the Yankees can’t afford for Rodriguez to be a completely sunk cost.

“He knows what we expect from him,” Steinbrenner said. “He knows what his teammates expect from him. We just hope he comes back strong. We need all the help we can get.”

Just two weeks ago, Steinbrenner spoke glowingly of his team that was overachieving in spite of injuries. Since then, the Yankees endured a five-game losing streak, which included four straight to the Mets and knocked them out of first place.

“They are the crosstown rivals, no doubt about that,” Steinbrenner said before the Yankees faced the Indians last night having lost seven of eight. “I concern myself maybe a little bit more with teams in our division. You have to. Does it feel good? No. Does it sting? Yes, absolutely.”

Despite the recent struggles, Steinbrenner said Joe Girardi’s job wasn’t in danger.

“Not at all,” Steinbrenner said. “Look, everybody’s fine. We’ve been through this before. We just need to get out of it.”

He added there was “nothing new to report” on Robinson Cano’s contract negotiation before acknowledging how poorly the team has played recently.

“The last week has hurt, no doubt about it,” Steinbrenner said. “This is not a fun place to be when you’re slumping. … I just urge people to come out and support this team. No. 1: They need it right now.

“They’re in the fight of their lives and No. 2: They’ve earned it.”

Calmer words, perhaps, than the ones his father may have used in a similar situation.

When asked if he thought George Steinbrenner would have reacted more harshly than his son during this rough stretch, Hal played it coy.

“He went through a few,” Steinbrenner said. “Sometimes he handled them better than others, right? Some of you guys were here. I can’t really say. Maybe he would have been fine. Maybe he would have surprised everybody. But it’s a long season, it’s a marathon and we’re right in the middle of it.”

dan.martin@nypost.com