A-Rod's MRI 'Clean'; Tuesday Return Possible For Yankees' Slugger
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — Alex Rodriguez was out of the Yankees' lineup against Texas on Sunday night because of stiffness in his lower back and on his side.
Rodriguez had trouble getting loose Saturday in the cold weather and left a 5-2 victory over the Rangers in the seventh inning. Manager Joe Girardi said the slugger told him Sunday he was still sore.
"I just didn't think it made any sense to push it," Girardi said. "We're going to give him the day off."
Rodriguez had a precautionary MRI that "came back clean," Girardi said. The three-time MVP is day to day and the team will see if he can play Tuesday night in Toronto. The Yankees are off Monday.
"We'll shoot for Tuesday and if he can't go Tuesday, we'll shoot for Wednesday," Girardi said.
Rodriguez said he felt his back stiffen most on a dive he made at third base Saturday. He received treatment Sunday and said he hopes he avoided a trip to the disabled list by coming out of the game early.
"I'd like to think I pulled myself with perfect timing," he said.
Eric Chavez replaced A-Rod at third base and batted sixth in the rubber game of a three-game series. Chavez came through with a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning of a 6-5 victory.
"When I made the decision to come here, I knew what it was going to be. Obviously, Alex is going to play a ton of games and when I get in there I've just got to be ready to play," said Chavez, in his initial season with the Yankees after spending his first 13 in Oakland. "I'm going to keep the same approach the whole year."
Robinson Cano was moved up to Rodriguez's cleanup spot in the lineup and homered in the second inning.
Rodriguez is off to an outstanding start this season. He began the day leading the league in batting average (.385), slugging percentage (.821) and on-base percentage (.500). He also ranked among the leaders with four homers and 12 runs scored.
Will A-Rod return Tuesday or will his injury linger? Sound off in the comments below...
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