Alex Rodriguez missed last night’s 6-5 win over the Rangers due to his sore left oblique, but the Yankees’ cleanup hitter does not believe the injury will force him to the disabled list.
Rodriguez left Saturday’s game after the sixth inning because the tightness on the left side of his back was getting worse.
“I would like to think I pulled myself out with perfect timing,” Rodriguez said. “I felt that if I went out there and took a violent swing perhaps I could have put myself at risk for a couple of weeks.”
The 35-year-old third baseman did not take batting practice yesterday, opting to spend his time in the trainer’s room getting treatment. He said he hopes today’s day off will help, and he can make it back for tomorrow night’s game in Toronto.
“It’s still a little sore,” Rodriguez said. “I’m hoping over the next day or two it gets better.”
Rodriguez had an MRI exam on the area, and the Yankees said the test came back clean . The three-time MVP has made a trip to the disabled list in each of the last three seasons.
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The mystery surrounding Phil Hughes‘ right arm took another twist yesterday when manager Joe Girardi revealed the pitcher is getting anti-inflammatories as part of the treatment to cure his velocity woes. The Yankees placed Hughes on the 15-day disabled list Friday with a dead arm.
The team and Hughes have both said he is not injured, but felt some time on the DL would give him a chance to regain his arm strength. Girardi said the fact the Yankees are giving Hughes anti-inflammatories is no big deal.
“You could look at every pitcher’s arm and probably see some inflammation,” Girardi said.
Hughes did a long-toss session before last night’s victory.
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Kevin Millwood started for Double-A Trenton yesterday, giving up no runs and one hit in seven innings. He walked four and struck out three, topping out at 87 miles per hour on the radar gun. . . . Bartolo Colon will make his first start for the Yankees on Wednesday in Toronto after a 3.97 ERA in three relief appearances. Girardi said he has not decided how he will line up his pitchers against the Orioles over the weekend.
