CHICAGO — Whenever Alex Rodriguez is ready to return from the DL, his cleanup spot will be waiting for him.
“It’s hard to argue with his production,” Girardi said of Rodriguez, who is batting .295 with 13 homers and 52 RBIs in 80 games. “That’s where I plan on hitting him. We have seen him carry a club. He was playing on 1½ legs. We will be excited to get him back.”
When that is won’t be known until Rodriguez begins a minor league rehab assignment.
VIDEO: BATTLE FOR FIRST AT FENWAY PARK
Girardi said he was encouraged that Rodriguez’ first day of baseball-related activities went well in Tampa yesterday.
Nevertheless, the manager couldn’t predict when Rodriguez will begin taking batting practice.
“I don’t know,” Girardi said. “Everything is good. He will increase the intensity [today].”
Rodriguez, who has been out since July 8 and underwent right knee surgery July 11 to repair a meniscus problem, took ground balls and hit off a tee and soft toss.
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Robinson Cano and Russell Martin homered in last night’s 7-2 win. It was Cano’s second homer in as many games and Martin’s second in three games.
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The Yankees outscored the White Sox 34-11 in the four-game sweep.
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Yankees pitchers didn’t issue a walk in the four games. It’s the longest streak since 2002 when they went six games without walking a batter.
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When Derek Jeter returned from the DL on July 4, he was batting .260, went 0-for-4 and dipped to .256. After going 0-for-3 last night, one game after getting five hits, Jeter is batting .277.
“Derek is not a guy to bet against,” manager Joe Girardi said. “The way he goes about his business and the pride he has in his job. He is driving the ball better and pulling more balls.”
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Double-A catching prospect Austin Romine didn’t play the past two games for Trenton due to a back problem that caused him to undergo an MRI exam yesterday.
Catcher Jesus Montero continues to give the Yankees a reason to promote him from SWB (Triple-A). Going into last night’s action, Montero was hitting .315 (17-for-54) with four homers and 17 RBIs in the past 14 games.
Earlier this week, general manager Brian Cashman said it was possible Montero could be elevated before rosters increase from 25 on Sept. 1.