Yankees Turn Down A-Rod's Request To Play Third Base In Final Game
BOSTON (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Alex Rodriguez has been turned down in his request to play the field for his final game with the New York Yankees.
Manager Joe Girardi said A-Rod wouldn't be at third base Friday night at Yankee Stadium against Tampa Bay.
Rodriguez had asked to return to his old position for the last game. He hasn't played the field this season.
"We thought about it but he hasn't done any work," Girardi said before Thursday night's game at Boston. "It's not that I wouldn't like to see it, but we're in a part of the season where we are trying to win. We're still in this and I just felt that the situation hasn't presented itself."
The Yankees announced Sunday that Rodriguez will be released following the game Friday night. Rodriguez will then become an adviser and instructor for the team.
Rodriguez batted cleanup as the designated hitter Thursday. He was booed by Red Sox fans when he came to the plate in the second inning and had a soft lineout.
Rodriguez did not play in the series opener Tuesday and was a pinch-hitter Wednesday night.
Despite Friday being A-Rod's last game with the Yankees, it might not be his final game overall.
FanRag's Jon Heyman reported the Miami Marlins have had internal talks about Rodriguez.
However, there isn't any evidence yet that they will try to sign him. Rodriguez has said he will head back to his hometown of Miami following Friday's game.
A-Rod is four home runs shy of 700.
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