Alex Rodriguez was named a finalist for the American League Comeback Player of the Year by the Players Association on Thursday.

Typically given to someone coming off a poor season or an injury, Rodriguez, who has a team-high 33 home runs, would be the first winner to come off a PED suspension. The Royals’ Kendrys Morales and Prince Fielder of the Rangers also are finalists. The winner will be announced Nov. 9.

“I think it’s good that people recognized what [Rodriguez has] done on the field and not let what’s happened in the past cloud their judgment,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said before the Yankees’ 4-1 playoff-clinching win over the Red Sox at the Stadium. “It’s for whatever reason: You don’t have a good year, you don’t play. It comes up for a lot of different reasons. But he has been extremely important to our club and extremely important to our clubhouse.”