MLB

A-Rod eyes return in Texas, Yankees GM not so sure

While Alex Rodriguez has his sights set on a Monday return against the Rangers in Texas, general manager Brian Cashman is waiting to see what the next few days bring.

“Let’s get through the weekend,’’ Cashman said of Rodriguez jumping off the disabled list in time to face Yu Darvish in Arlington.

Rodriguez, who didn’t play yesterday after a morning workout, is slated to play for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre tonight.

“So far, so good. If we have a good weekend, I’ll be in Texas,” Rodriguez said yesterday on WFAN. “I am going to play four in Scranton and then hopefully we can go strap it up. I’ll feel more comfortable after these four games. There are no shortcuts. I am looking at the long haul.’’

Rodriguez could be returned to the disabled list if the Yankees believe he isn’t prepared for major league competition.

Should Rodriguez be ready to play for the Yankees on Monday, Cashman was asked if he would be given Sunday off from SWB’s game.

“I don’t know, I can’t say,’’ Cashman said.

Rodriguez is just one of three high-profile Yankees dealing with injuries. Derek Jeter returned from the DL Thursday and went down with a right quadriceps injury. Curtis Granderson is in Tampa rehabbing a fractured left pinky.

And after a couple of huge differences with the front office, Rodriguez insists the sides are in agreement.

“Over the last several weeks, we’ve had good communication, productive conversations. I think we have the same goal, which is to get back on the field, help the team win,’’ said Rodriguez, who is coming back from hip surgery in January and is 5-for-28 (.179) in his minor league rehab stint. “The team has been a phenomenal job of keeping us in the race. The good news for us is that hopefully the Captain and I will come back at the same time and we have three or four players behind us, and before you know it we’ll have a full lineup in there and we’ll help the guys that have been doing a great job to date.’’

Rodriguez’s biggest detractor would admit even if the active home run leader isn’t what he used to be — and how could he be at 38 and with two hip surgeries in four years — he has to be an upgrade over Luis Cruz at third.

Of course, when dealing with Rodriguez it’s never just one issue. On top of the hip he is involved in the Biogenesis scandal and could be facing a suspension that likely wouldn’t be served this season after the appeal process runs its course.

Asked about him cutting a deal with MLB during an interview last week in Tampa, Rodriguez debunked a report it happened.

“No deals. At this moment [that’s all] we can discuss on matter,” he said. “There’s no deal that I instructed anyone to do at this point.”

Early in the rehab assignment, Rodriguez’s bat and body didn’t look like they would be ready by Monday. Lately, they have been better.

“I think I am getting closer. I hit a ball, 93-94 mph from a left-handed pitcher and I was able to drive it over the left-field wall, and that’s something I know for sure I couldn’t do in August, September, October last year,” Rodriguez said. “By the way, I couldn’t even do that last week. So, the progression is coming very well. Even [Tuesday night], I went 0-for-3, but I drove the ball to the outfield all three times.’’

And what about those who say he is too old, too injured and too deep into the performance-enhancing drug issue to be able to help?

“For one, it fuels me,” he said. “There’s always going to be that. My goal is the same as it always was to get back on the field. The most concerning thing is I am 38. I am no spring chicken. I had aches in muscle I didn’t even know I had.

“The last four or five days my balance is getting better in the box, I am seeing the rotation better. Now I am starting to drive the ball. I am getting a good feeling about it.’’

george.king@nypost.com