SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) -Alex Rodriguez was lifted for a pinch runner in the fifth inning of the New York Yankees’ spring training game Sunday and perhaps was headed for a scheduled meeting with Major League Baseball officials to discuss his admission of using performance-enhancing drugs from 2001-03 with Texas.
After coming out of the game, Rodriguez spoke with reporters but declined to discuss when or if the meeting would take place. Then he got into a car with teammates Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira and left the ballpark.
Rodriguez did say he planned to be in Jupiter by Sunday night to join the Dominican Republic team for World Baseball Classic preparations. He said the squad had a meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday.
“I’m not sure what I’m doing. But I will be in Jupiter tonight,” Rodriguez said. “Opportunity of a lifetime playing in the WBC. I’m excited about that.”
driguez’s meeting with Major League Baseball, saying it was up to Rodriguez or MLB to discuss specifics.
MLB wants to speak with Rodriguez about security issues involving a trainer from the Dominican Republic and the cousin the three-time MVP said injected him with a banned substance called “boli.”
A-Rod worked out at Steinbrenner Field for about 90 minutes before boarding the team bus Sunday, which left Tampa at 9 a.m. He didn’t talk to reporters after taking batting practice before the game against the Reds. He had a pair of RBI doubles in three at-bats for the Yankees.
Rodriguez, after receiving a mixed ovation that had more boos than cheers, hit a run-scoring double in the first off Reds starter Aaron Harang. He fouled out in the third and had another RBI double against Arthur Rhodes in the fifth.
To get ready for the WBC, Rodriguez and the Dominican Republic will play three pre-tournament games against major league teams starting Tuesday against Florida.
“He’s going to have to go through traveling and be on road trips eventually,” Girardi said. “So, this can be a helpful thing in a sense. The fact he’s going to play in different ballparks might give us an idea of what’s going to happen during the year, and it may not. It also might be a good thing for him to go through.”
Girardi thinks the support system Rodriguez has with the Yankees will also be in place during the WBC.
“It’s my belief that playing for his country, those players are going to build that same wall,” Girardi said. “It might take a couple days, but I have a feeling a lot of those players have come out and are behind Alex. I’m hoping that takes place. We’ll have to see if that’s the case.”
Girardi thinks Rodriguez has been able to handle the situation so far.
“I think he’s come through it very well,” Girardi said. “I see him more relaxed every day. Really, the last five, six days I don’t think he’s changed a bit. Pretty much the same relaxed guy. The first couple days you could tell it was weighing heavily on his mind, and I’m sure it’s still weighing on his mind, but time helps everything. Probably knows how to approach it better now. I think he has done very well.”
Notes: RHP Jason Johnson, coming back from treatment for a cancerous tumor behind his right eye, will resume outdoor workouts Monday. He will throw a 35-pitch bullpen session. “The eye is improving every day,” Johnson said. … LHP CC Sabathia had his simulated game pushed back one day to Monday because of rainy weather. The expected opening day starter will make his first spring training start on Friday. … C Jorge Posada (minor right shoulder soreness) will throw on Monday and might DH as well. The target date for his first game behind the plate is March 15. … DH Hideki Matsui (right knee surgery) still could make his first spring appearance as soon as Tuesday.
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