CHICAGO – The Yankees are hoping Alex Rodriguez‘s quick healing powers don’t allow his strained right quad problem to linger. However, they aren’t guaranteeing the injury suffered Sunday won’t sideline the MVP third baseman and possibly land him on the disabled list.
“Alex is a quick healer,” GM Brian Cashman said. “It’s kind of like (Derek) Jeter’s (left quad strain). He could come back quickly or be like Jeter and miss two series (six games). We are trying to avoid the DL. We are taking it day to day.”
Rodriguez, who came out of Sunday’s 7-1 victory in Baltimore, was in New York yesterday. According to Cashman, he received treatment from a physical therapist and is expected to be on hand tonight when the Yankees open a three-game series against the White Sox.
However, Rodriguez could be in Miami for the birth of his second daughter, which could happen any day.
The Yankees went 2-4 without Jeter and would be strapped without Rodriguez, even if the cleanup hitter is batting .150 (3-for-20) with runners in scoring position. He is hitting .308 with four homers and 10 RBIs.
If Rodriguez misses games, Morgan Ensberg will replace him at third. Wilson Betemit would have been a choice, but he is on the DL with an eye infection.
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Jorge Posada will test his strained right shoulder today by throwing and if the arm strength has improved he could start behind the plate. This past weekend Posada said “Tuesday or Wednesday” when asked when he would return. Posada hasn’t started a game as a catcher since April 8.
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Cashman hadn’t heard from MLB about a date for Kyle Farnsworth‘s appeal to be heard. Farnsworth was suspended for three games by Bob Watson for allegedly throwing at Manny Ramirez last week. Farnsworth maintains the ball that went behind Ramirez’ head slipped.