Alex Rodriguez isn’t in the Yankees’ starting lineup tonight against the Phillies at the Stadium, still sidelined by tendinitis in his hip.
The third baseman said he’s hopeful he can play tomorrow.
“It feels much better,” Rodriguez said of the injury to his right hip that’s kept him out since the first inning of Thursday’s game in Baltimore.
“I think the plan is to play tomorrow. We haven’t been on the field for three-four days,” Rodriguez said. “Basically we’re going to do everything we can in the field today: Field, run, hit, throw long-toss, come back for some more treatment, go through a little activation program … in the weight room.
“And hopefully if we pass all that, we’ll be ready to go tomorrow.”
Joe Girardi said Rodriguez could pinch hit tonight if needed, and the Yankees plan to start him tomorrow at third base.
“We’re talking full-go if everything’s OK,” the manager said.
Rodriguez took infield and batting practice prior to the game.
“I felt OK, no setbacks,” he said. “I hit off the tee with Kevin Long, did my light hitting and everything feels OK.
“You want to be smart about this, take more of a long-term approach. Hopefully I can come back feeling good.”
Rodriguez, who had surgery on the hip last year, said he did not know if the discomfort would linger throughout the season.
“I hope not,” he said. “Again, the one thing that I’m laying my hat on, or hanging my hat on, is the fact that it has nothing to do with my hip injury. That’s obviously a blessing.
“I’m going to have to keep a close eye on it and go from there.”
With Brian Lewis