Girardi: No 'Exact Date' When Alex Rodriguez Will Start Again
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Yankees manager Joe Girardi revealed he doesn't know when Alex Rodriguez will start again.
Speaking to Mike Francesa on Thursday, Girardi said he doesn't have an "exact date" when he will pencil A-Rod into the lineup.
"You know, I was asked today when do I envision him starting and I said, 'I don't have an exact date.' Am I saying he's not going to start anymore? No, I'm not saying that either. I just don't have an exact date in my mind," the Yankees skipper explained.
Girardi said it's been tough seeing Rodriguez' struggles up-close and personal.
"It's hard because there's a relationship between me and Alex, too. It's important, we've been together a long time, and we've fought for each other and he's helped to bring us wins and championships, and I feel for this guy," Girardi told Francesa. "I mean, my heart goes out to him. I don't think any of us wanted to see him struggle to the point he's struggling this year, and that's hard for me, too.
"There's a relationship and I truly care about him."
A-Rod is in a 2-for-28 rut, is hitting .204 overall and has started once since July 22. He is stuck at 696 career home runs.
When asked about the Yankees trading Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller and Carlos Beltran for prospects, Girardi said he wasn't surprised about the moves.
"We put them in that situation because of our record and the way we had played. We've been around .500 … so I think that we put them in that situation and we're all to blame in this room down here in the clubhouse. I understand why they did it," Girardi said.
Click on the audio player to listen to Girardi's full interview.
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