TRENTON — Alex Rodriguez was scheduled to take just two more at-bats in the second and final day of his minor-league rehab assignment before planning to “beat the traffic” back to New York for an expected activation on Thursday from the disabled list.
“Yeah. If I’m there, I’m going to be a player. Whether I am in the lineup (Thursday) or not, if I’m on the roster, I am a player,” A-Rod said Wednesday before batting third in the Trenton Thunder’s game against New Hampshire. “I spoke to Joe (Girardi) driving up here today and he kind of gave me his plan.
“And I am excited. I told you (Tuesday) I was excited about playing here and I am excited about playing tonight. Any time I can play baseball, I am happy.”
Girardi said in the Bronx that Rodriguez is expected to rejoin the Yankees in time for Thursday’s late-afternoon (4 p.m.) series finale against Toronto and there’s “a pretty good chance” he will be in the lineup for the first time since landing on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right hamstring.
A-Rod, who tweaked his hammy on May 3 while running to first in the fifth inning against the Orioles in Baltimore, went 2-for-4 with an RBI single for the Thunder on Tuesday.
“I think the brilliant thing about Joe sending me down here is you get a chance to test (the hamstring). Having two days versus one day I think is an asset…Offensively I felt really good, strong. I saw the ball well and this should be a good test for my legs,” said Rodriguez, adding it’s “accurate” that he’s been frustrated while sidelined. “Look I am 40 and I had a hamstring issue. Those things are difficult to heal from when you’re in your mid-20s, so imagine at 40.
“Legs are the most important part. When you think about hitting for power, it’s all about legs and core. So I was excited I saw the ball well. I thought my explosion was pretty good at the plate. Hopefully that transfers over to New York…The key for me all along is to be patient, play the long run, and when I am back I want to be back for good.”
Rodriguez was batting just .194 with five home runs and 12 RBI in 20 games for the Yanks before the injury. The Bombers entered Wednesday’s game with a 14-6 mark without A-Rod, with Carlos Beltran doing much of the damage from the DH spot.
“I’m having so much fun, it’s funny when people talk about what’s going to happen if Alex plays or not plays. Those are awesome issues,” he said. “The fact that my team is playing so well, guys are swinging the bat well, you want to just go in and contribute when you can.”
Still, while Rodriguez maintains he’ll “do whatever (Girardi) wants,” he is expecting to resume the DH role.
“I’m not like Carlos. I actually like DH a lot,” Rodrgiuez said. “I’ve played shortstop, I played the field for over 20 years, and I realize that the biggest impact I can make in helping us win games is by doing damage in the middle of the lineup and the DH is just a great asset for me.”
“It’s always easier (when the team is winning). Look, our goal is always the same, to win games. Whatever it takes to win, that’s what we’ll do. It doesn’t matter who’s out there, who’s contributing. Whatever Joe wants, I think all of us have bought into the idea that winning is the only thing that matters.”
