ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez’s re-entry into the Yankees’ universe next season has started with bicoastal workouts.
The suspended slugger has been spotted working out at the University of Miami, where the baseball stadium is named after him, and at UCLA in Los Angeles.
Rodriguez is hitting off a tee but not against live pitching. Rodriguez also is taking ground balls and working in the weight room at each facility.
If Rodriguez’s surgically repaired hips allow it, he plans to play next year after missing this season because of an MLB suspension for his involvement in the Biogenesis mess.
At 39, there are questions about how much he has left considering each hip has been operated on. Then there is the question of what he can do on the field. Can he play full-time at third base or will he be limited to being a designated hitter?
The Yankees will have Martin Prado to play third next year if Rodriguez can’t. Nevertheless, Carlos Beltran has two more years remaining on his contract and has been the designated hitter 63 times this year because of an elbow issue. He started in right field Saturday for the first time since May 12.
Rodriguez, who has three years and $61 million left on his contract, has kept a very low profile since being suspended and has had limited contact with Yankees staff members.
With 654 homers, Rodriguez is fifth on the all-time list and trails Willie Mays by six homers. If Rodriguez gets to 660, he receives a $6 million bonus.