An A-Bomb For A-Rod: Rodriguez Hits First Homer Since Returning From Suspension
TAMPA, Fla. (CBSNewYork/AP) — An A-bomb for A-Rod!
Alex Rodriguez hit his first home run since returning to the Yankees following a drug suspension and Chris Capuano was forced out in the first inning by a quadriceps injury in New York's 10-6 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday.
Rodriguez hit a long drive to left-center on a 3-1 pitch from right-hander Brandon Workman leading off the fourth inning. Rodriguez has five hits in 11 at-bats (.455) this spring training.
The three-time AL MVP, who turns 40 in July, has not played a full season since 2007 because of a season-long drug suspension, operations on both hips and other injuries.
ARod just ripped a 3-1 pitch from Brandon Workman for a HR. His first. Heard a lot of cheers. Didn't hear many boos.
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) March 11, 2015
Rodriguez made his second start at third base and cleanly handled two chances in five innings.
Last real HR ARod hit was 9-20-13, a grand slam off George Kontos in 5-1 win over SFG at Yankee Stadium.
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) March 11, 2015
Capuano, the top candidate to be the Yankees' fifth starter, left after hurting his right leg while covering first base on Brock Holt's one-out grounder to first baseman Garrett Jones.
The veteran left-hander was diagnosed with a Grade 2 quad strain, but no timetable was given for his return, WFAN's Sweeny Murti reported.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)