Reggie Jackson’s re-entry into the Yankees’ clubhouse will take place Thursday or Friday in Oakland. The Hall of Famer is opting to spend the weekend with the Yankees instead of traveling to Cooperstown for the Hall of Fame inductions.
“He is not expected,’’ Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson said of Jackson, who was sidelined by the Yankees during their series in Boston prior to the All-Star break and series against the Angels and Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium after being critical of Alex Rodriguez and Andy Pettitte’s Hall of Fame credentials due to the use of performance enhancing drugs. Jackson also questioned whether Gary Carter, Jim Rice and others belonged in the Hall of Fame based on playing careers.
Jackson issued an apology through the club last week and team officials believed “Mr. October’’ was sincere.
According to a person with knowledge of Jackson’s plans, he led the Hall of Fame to believe he was going to spend the weekend with the Yankees instead of traveling to Cooperstown before the flap occurred.
Jackson has a home near Oakland and is a staple in the Yankees clubhouse and at the batting cage when the Yankees play there. It’s not known if Jackson will join the club in Seattle for the final three games of the West Coast trip.
* Following batting practice, Alex Rodriguez and Eric Chavez traded places. Rodriguez went from third base to DH and Chavez from DH to third base.
“Alex woke up with a stiff neck and tried to work through it,’’ said manager Joe Girardi, who said the stiffness was on the right side which enabled Rodriguez to hit but not play the field comfortably. “We hope it clears up but there is a good chance he is the DH [tonight[.”
Rodriguez went 2-for-4 with a double and scored twice.
General manager Brian Cashman spoke Sunday about the possibility of speaking with Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson this winter about extending their contracts. The Yankees usually avoid that track, but with their goal of getting their payroll under $189 million before the 2014 season, they might change strategy and attempt to get Cano and Granderson signed before they can become free agents following the 2013 season.
“That’s the first I’m hearing of it,’’ Cano said. “You never know, we’ll see what happens. It’s something that’s not on my mind. I’m focused on playing and trying to win games.
Cano and Granderson would forfeit the free agency experience if they sign extensions. The Yankees hold club options for $15 million (with $2 million buyouts) on Cano and Granderson for next season.
“Before, the only thing I heard is that they don’t do [extensions],’’ Granderson said. “You have to wait and see. Let’s finish [the season] first and worry about that in the off-season when we get there.’’
* The Blue Jays’ Jose Bautista left the game after injuring his wrist on a swing. X-rays were negative, but Bautista, who felt a pop in the wrist, will undergo an MRI today and is likely to miss tonight’s game.
* Girardi said Joba Chamberlain will throw an inning today. It will be Chamberlain’s third outing on a minor league rehab assignment. “I’m not sure if it’s [in] the Gulf Coast or Tampa,’’ Girardi said of Chamberlain’s outing. The right-handed reliever is coming back from Tommy John and ankle surgery. … Mariano Rivera will ring the New York Stock Exchange opening bell tomorrow.