NEW YORK (AP) -Alex Rodriguez returned to the New York Yankees’ lineup Tuesday night after missing three weeks with a strained right quadriceps.
The two-time AL MVP was penciled in to bat cleanup and play third base against the Baltimore Orioles – weather permitting. Rain fell throughout the day in New York, and the tarp was still on the field at Yankee Stadium an hour before the scheduled first pitch.
The slumping Yankees, who began the day 20-24, are 8-12 without Rodriguez this season.
“We’re going to be fine. No one is running away with this thing,” A-Rod said. “I don’t know if anyone is counting us out – I hope they are.”
With a lineup heavy on left-handed hitters, New York has struggled against left-handed pitching in particular lately. Rodriguez’s powerful presence from the right side should help balance the offense.
“It changes the dynamics of your lineup,” manager Joe Girardi said. “It’s good to have him back.”
Rodriguez was activated from the 15-day disabled list. To make room for him on the roster, the Yankees optioned right-handed reliever Chris Britton to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Girardi spoke to Rodriguez and reminded him to just be himself now that he’s back. The slugger also acknowledged that he must guard against trying to do too much by himself.
“There’s always a danger, especially because we need wins. There’s a lot of urgency on this team right now,” Rodriguez said. “But I remind myself that there’s games that I went 0-for-4 and we won, and I’ve gone 4-for-4 and we’ve lost. It’s keeping that in mind, keeping it in perspective. … It was good for Joe to bring it up to me.”
Rodriguez was hitting .286 with four home runs and 11 RBIs in 91 at-bats when he went on the disabled list April 30.
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