Alex Rodriguez, who has missed the entire 2013 MLB season so far due to off-season hip surgery, expects to rejoin the New York Yankees and be in the lineup on Monday when they face the Texas Rangers. Rodriguez made the statement about his prognosis on the WFAN morning show today. He said that he was expecting to move up to play rehab games in Triple A on Friday and over the weekend, in completing his 20 day rehab assignment.
Rodriguez has struggled in rehab, hitting just .179 (5-for-28) with one home run and seven strikeouts over 10 rehab games between Low-A Charleston, High-A Tampa, and Double-A Trenton over the last couple of weeks. However he stated that he believes that his hip is getting stronger, and that he is ready to take the next step in his rehabilitation.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman had been upset with A-Rod for giving information about his rehab earlier in the process. However in this case it would appear that he, and Yankees management, are on the same page with their third base slugger. “That’s the hope,” Cashman told ESPN New York. “Let’s get through the weekend and see where he is at and see if he is major league able.”
Rodriguez’s 20 day rehab assignment ends on Monday, meaning that he will not be allowed to play further minor league games past that date. He will either need to be re-added to the Yankees roster, or continue his rehab without playing any more minor league games.
Rodriguez was also asked about his involvement in the ongoing MLB Biogenesis investigation, however he refused to comment on the situation, only stating that early reports that he had reached a plea deal with MLB were false.
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