A-Rod Out Of Lineup With Stiff Back
NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Rodriguez was out of the New York Yankees' lineup against Texas on Sunday night because of stiffness in his lower back and on his side.
Rodriguez had trouble getting loose Saturday in the cold weather and left a 5-2 victory over the Rangers in the seventh inning. New York manager Joe Girardi said the slugger told him Sunday he was still sore.
"I just didn't think it made any sense to push it," Girardi said. "We're going to give him the day off."
Rodriguez is day to day and the team will see if he can play Tuesday night in Toronto. The Yankees are off Monday.
"We'll shoot for Tuesday and if he can't go Tuesday, we'll shoot for Wednesday," Girardi said.
Eric Chavez was set to replace A-Rod at third base and bat sixth in the rubber game of a three-game series. Robinson Cano was moved up to Rodriguez's cleanup spot in the lineup.
Girardi said no tests were planned, as far as he knew, but Rodriguez probably was not available off the bench.
"Unless he goes through all his work today, his treatment, and says, 'You know what? I can give you an at-bat,' we probably don't have him," the manager said.
Rodriguez, a three-time AL MVP, is off to an outstanding start this season. He began the day leading the league in batting average (.385), slugging percentage (.821) and on-base percentage (.500). He also ranked among the leaders with four homers and 12 runs scored.
