Alex Rodriguez made it official last night: He’s headed to Tuesday’s All-Star Game as a player, not just a spectator.
“[With] 3.9 million votes, you feel like you have a responsibility to go out there and play,” said Rodriguez, who led all players in votes received. “I’m feeling pretty good, go from there.”
Rodriguez admitted he still has soreness in his left hamstring, but would not say to what degree. He went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in yesterday’s 2-1 loss to the Angels in 13 innings.
A-Rod made last night a self-imposed deadline for resolving the All-Star issue so not to leave AL manager Jim Leyland in a tough position of trying to find another player at the last minute if needed.
Yankee manager Joe Torre could understand his player’s predicament of not wanting to disappoint the fans, while doing what is best for the Yankees.
Still, Torre – before receiving word Rodriguez intends to play Tuesday in San Francisco – sounded as if he were pulling for A-Rod to skip the game.
“It’s his responsibility [to the fans],” Torre said, referring to the All-Star game. “But there’s a stronger thing pulling at you that we have a very important half of the season coming up. The most important thing is for him to be ready for his team.”
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An industry source said the Yankees are “very interested” in former Arizona and Oakland first baseman Erubiel Durazo, but no contractual agreement has been reached yet.
The 33-year-old Durazo is playing for Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League after getting released in spring training by the Athletics. The Yankees are one of several clubs interested in Durazo, a lifetime .281 hitter over seven major-league seasons.
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Andy Phillips said there was significant improvement in his neck from a night earlier, when he was scratched from the lineup because of soreness, but Miguel Cairo yesterday made a second straight start at first base.
Phillips was only available to play if an emergency arose.
“My main concern when I was swinging [Friday] was, I was altering mechanics and pulling off the ball,” said Phillips, who strained his neck during infield practice. “That’s not going to help the team.”
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Jeff Karstens yesterday made his first minor-league rehab start since suffering a broken leg in April, and threw 31/3 scoreless innings for the Gulf Coast Yankees.
Karstens allowed three hits, struck out three and walked two while facing a Phillies farm team. Karstens’ next start is expected to come for Single-A Staten Island.