BALTIMORE – Alex Rodriguez may not have to worry about missing a game to be with his wife for the birth of the couple’s second daughter now that strained his right quad while running out a fielder’s choice today in the sixth inning.
Since Cynthia Rodriguez is due to deliver shortly, Rodriguez was deciding between going from here to Miami, where Cynthia, is or New York instead of Chicago where the Yankees will spend today’s off day before opening a three-game series against the White Sox tomorrow night.
“What I don’t want to do is go to Miami, to Chicago and back to Miami,” Rodriguez said before the game at Camden Yards.
Because he left in the sixth inning with the strained quad, Rodriguez may have the time to be with Cynthia for the delivery.
Derek Jeter recently missed six games with a strained left quad.
Bobby Abreu opened the sixth with a single and Rodriguez followed with a grounder to third that forced Abreu at second. Running to beat the pivot throw and avoid a double play, Rodriguez didn’t appear to be hampered. However, after standing on first base he flexed the right knee a few times.
That brought out trainer Steve Donohue and Joe Girardi and they escorted him off the field. The Yankees said Rodriguez will be evaluated daily.
Morgan Ensberg replaced Rodriguez as a pinch-runner and at third.
Rodriguez’ RBI double in the fourth inning that gave the Yankees a 1-0 leadwas his first run-producing hit with a runner in scoring position since April 10.
Rodriguez is 3-for-20 (.150) in the clutch.