On WFAN: A-Rod 'Very Excited' To Rejoin Yankees Monday
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Alex Rodriguez says if all goes well he'll be ready to rejoin the Yankees on Monday in Texas.
Yes, Monday. As in five days from now, when New York starts a four-game series against the Rangers.
"I will be back on Monday and I'm very excited," A-Rod told WFAN radio's Mike Francesa on Wednesday.
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Alex Rodriguez
A-Rod, who could face a suspension for his alleged part in baseball's latest performance-enhancing drugs scandal, has been rehabbing from offseason hip surgery and is scheduled to join Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.
Rodriguez also told Francesa that his camp hasn't made a plea deal with MLB regarding a possible suspension stemming from the league's investigation into Biogenesis, the closed anti-aging clinic accused of distributing PEDs to athletes.
"No, that's not true," A-Rod said about the plea deal reports.
MORE: FULL TRANSCRIPT OF A-ROD INTERVIEW
He added: "At this moment, that's all we can really discuss on the matter."
Rodriguez admitted in 2009 to using PEDs during his 2001-03 stint with the Rangers. He has denied any involvement with Biogenesis.
"There's no deal that I've instructed anyone to do at this point," he said.
The 37-year-old got into a bit of trouble with the Yankees front office late last month by prematurely tweeting his rehab plans. That prompted an unexpected F-bomb from general manager Brian Cashman, which was followed by an apology.
"I think over the last several weeks we've had good communication," A-Rod said. "We've had productive conversations. I think we all have the same goal to get back on the field, help the team win, and make a run out of this thing. I think the team has done a phenomenal job of keeping us right in the race. And the good news for us, Mike, is hopefully the captain (Derek Jeter) and I come back at the similar times, and then we have three or four players behind us, and before you know it hopefully we have our full lineup in there and we can help the guys who have been doing a great job up to date."
He's batting .179 in 10 rehab games.
Rodriguez said he had doubts about his health after surgery.
"Look, you always have doubts," Rodriguez said. "If I could just sit here and tell you, 'Yeah, it's been just a colorful ride and it's been a rainbow,' I would be lying to you. There was very dark moments, challenging, some achy mornings. Every day, getting up really early, leaving the Tampa complex very late; doing cold tubs at night, doing hot tubs in the morning. It's been a very challenging process.
"But I'm excited, because the last 10 days, I've seen things get a little better. I'm turning the corner, and I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm within striking distance of Monday now, and that makes me really excited, like a 10-year-old boy."
The Yankees (51-44) are in fourth place in the AL East, six games behind division-leading Boston.
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