Girardi: A-Rod Not Starting Tuesday, Wednesday Because Yankees Trying To Win
BOSTON (CBSNewYork) -- Don't expect a weeklong farewell to Alex Rodriguez.
A-Rod was not in the Yankees' lineup at Boston on Tuesday night, and he's not expected to start Wednesday, either, manager Joe Girardi said.
Why not? Because Girardi said he's trying to win to remain in playoff contention.
"I'm trying to do what my responsibility calls for, and that's to try to win games," Girardi told reporters before the Yankees open a three-game series at Fenway Park. "And I will continue to do that."
Rodriguez announced Sunday he will play his final game Friday -- against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. In addition to that game, Girardi said he plans to start A-Rod on Thursday in Boston, WFAN's Sweeny Murti reported.
Joe Girardi said ARod will start Thu against RHP Steven Wright. Perhaps PH tonight or tomorrow. #Yankees
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) August 9, 2016
But Girardi noted that the Yankees (56-55) are still in the thick of the postseason hunt. They entered Tuesday's game 4½ games out of the second wild-card spot. The Red Sox are one of the teams ahead of them.
"This is a very important series for us," Girardi said. "This is one of the teams that we're chasing. Obviously, it's important to win the first game of a series and try to win a series, but I've said all along if you want to catch up you're going to have to beat the teams in front of you and have good series."
Girardi was asked why he suggested at Sunday's news conference he would play Rodriguez more this week.
"I'm an emotional guy, and my heart can get tugged at," he said. "And I think I got caught up in the emotions a little bit (Sunday). I mean, I'm human. There's a human element to me. There's a human element to Alex. And I'm not saying he won't play these next two days and he won't be in there, but I'm managing to try to win the games. And that's what I have to do."