TAMPA — Alex Rodriguez walked into the Yankees clubhouse Friday afternoon all smiles.
By the end of a long night, he even found a way to laugh at himself.
After going 0-for-2 with a three-pitch strikeout in his final at-bat when he didn’t lift the bat off his shoulder against the Pirates’ Blake Wood, A-Rod, who walked his first time up, joked: “That last at-bat I don’t think I saw one of those pitches. They were 97. They were firm.’’
Wood’s fastball averaged 97.2 in 2012 before he underwent Tommy John surgery.
“I’m actually feeling pretty good,’’ Rodriguez said. “I’m seeing the ball well. The ones that I am seeing.’’
Yes, this DH-thing is going to take a little bit of time.
Manager Joe Girardi was thinking of playing A-Rod at third base on Friday night in the 3-1 loss at Steinbrenner Field, but decided against it because Carlos Beltran, who was going to DH, wanted to get some time in right field.
“Whatever Joe wants me to do I’ll do,’’ Rodriguez told The Post before the game. “Whatever’s best for the team. I’m just happy to be playing baseball. I’m fortunate to be playing the game I love so much. I feel like a rookie again.’’
There is a lot to re-learn after missing an entire season following his drug suspension.
Rodriguez put the ball in play once, breaking his bat on a soft liner to shortstop.
The goal is to show he is still a dangerous right-handed bat in a lineup that’s lefty-heavy. Rodriguez is convinced he can be that hitter and still have an impact.
“Like any other spring, hopefully by week four or week five I start driving the ball,’’ Rodriguez said after the game. “You don’t want to be locked in on March 6.’’
That’s why right now, focusing on DH is the best thing for Rodriguez even though he wants to show Girardi he is versatile enough to help out at third and first. Get the feel for the DH job, and then worry about taking the field.
That should be Job No. 1 for Rodriguez.
Fielding can wait; it’s all about getting the swing right. Rodriguez is 1-for-4 with two walks this spring, the one hit being a single.
On the other side of Florida on Friday, the Mets’ Matt Harvey was dazzling in his first spring training comeback performance. Rodriguez was just trying to get his swing back.
There is no doubt Rodriguez believes he can be an effective weapon at the plate.
“I could have played Alex at third [Friday night], but right now I think his at-bats are the most important thing,” Girardi said, “and I think sometimes if you want to leave him in a little bit longer, it’s easier to do it at DH.’’
Girardi is right. At-bats are the most important thing for Rodriguez now. The last thing Rodriguez needs is to get injured playing the field. The Yankees still have no clue what they can count on getting from Rodriguez, and even the slightest injury would severely set him back.
Every game is a new test for this version of A-Rod. Friday, under minor league lights, was his first night game since before his suspension.
“Some days are going to be pretty good, some days are going to be pretty bad,’’ Rodriguez admitted.
Rodriguez’s swing clearly is too long at this point, but at this point in spring training, that’s pretty standard for him.
As for playing first base, that is not going to happen yet.
“We have a long ways to go,’’ Girardi said.
Girardi also has to see how Rodriguez responds to back-to-back games and how much life really is in his bat at the age of 40.
“This is a work in progress,’’ Rodriguez said.
“He’ll play on Sunday,” Girardi said. “Do I put him at third? It’s possible. He’ll get a lot of DH at-bats in spring training.’’
“It’s been a long time, recognizing the strike zone, what’s a strike, what’s a ball,’’ Rodriguez said.
First, he has to see the ball.