SEATTLE — The fans at Safeco Field finally got a chance to taunt
the player they love to hate.
When Alex Rodriguez didn’t play Thursday night because of a swollen elbow and back spasms, the venom that usually flows from
the seats toward the Yankees third baseman was missing. Ditto Friday night.
But after hitting in the indoor cage yesterday, Rodriguez said he felt good enough to start against the team with which he broke into the big leagues before leaving for Texas as a free agent.
Rodriguez went 1-for-2 with two walks and one strikeout in the
Yankees’ 5-2 victory.
Friday night, manager Joe Girardi assumed Rodriguez was better
and posted a lineup with the third baseman in it. When the spasms didn’t improve by the time Rodriguez arrived at the ballpark, Girardi had to scratch him.
“They are getting better,” Rodriguez said. “There is improvement.”
Jerry Hairston Jr. subbed for Rodriguez on Thursday and Friday
but remained in the lineup last night in left field against lefty Luke French as Johnny Damon rested.
Jorge Posada was the designated hitter, which forced Hideki Matsui to the bench. Hairston went 1-for-4, Posada 0-for-4.
Normally, the Yankees are cautious about players returning from
injuries. Because Rodriguez, who started last night in a 6-for-26 (.231) slide, wasn’t available for pinch-hitting duty Friday night, Girardi was asked if he was inclined to keep him out a third day to make sure.
“I want to get him back in there as soon as I can,” Girardi said. “We don’t want him to miss too many days.”
Girardi is contemplating giving Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano a day off soon. For Cano that could be Wednesday in Oakland, when the Athletics are slated to start lefty Brett Anderson.
