ESPN- Alex Rodriguez is not in the lineup against the Tampa Bay Rays, putting his chase of 600 home runs temporarily on hold. Yankees manager Joe Girardi decided to rest A-Rod on Sunday, and plans to give other regulars a break in the near future.
"He's played 13 days in a row," Girardi said. "We've got to make sure that we keep him healthy and strong. My key is keeping our guys healthy the rest of the way. It could be a very tough two months. If you don't do that, shame on us."
The Yankees' third baseman went 0 for 3 with a walk, a strikeout and a run scored Saturday in a 5-4 win. It was his ninth game since hitting his 599th homer on July 22.
"My swing is a little out of whack," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said he really didn't need a day off, but understands Girardi's desire to keep his players fresh. He is hitting .243 (9 for 37) with eight RBIs since getting within one homer of 600.
His next opportunity for 600 could be at Yankee Stadium on Monday night against Toronto.
"It will come," Rodriguez said. "Everything is going to be fine.
The Yankees (66-37) have the best record in baseball.
"That's been the good part, we've been winning," Rodriguez said. "The team has been playing well and we've been getting picked up by different guys."
Girardi said it was a tough decision not starting Rodriguez against the Rays, who are second in the AL East.
"But it's not September 25th," Girardi said. "If I run him out there and he gets hurts today, people are going to say, 'why did you play him 13, 14 days in a row?' You've got to be smart about it."
Also, left-hander Andy Pettitte (strained left groin) threw 25 pitches halfway up a bullpen mound and could have a full mound session Tuesday or Wednesday.
"Everything is going good," Pettitte said. "It's another step."
Meanwhile, outfielder Austin Kearns, recently acquired from the Cleveland Indians, will make his first start for the Yankees on Sunday. Reliever Kerry Wood -- also obtained from Cleveland before Saturday's trade deadline -- has arrived in Tampa and will be available to pitch.
Damn, how much longer do we have to put up with this story? So it's been a while since Rodriguez hit a homerun, who cares. To me, it shouldn't even count as the 600th homerun. This man admitted to using steroids for three years of his career. During those three years, he hit 156 homeruns. If we are condemning Barry Bonds and saying he is not really the homerun king because he used steroids, then A-Rod can't be either. And we should not be giving all this attention for 600 homeruns, when once he hits it, it will only be his 444 legitimate homerun. I also will never acknowledge him as the homerun king unless he breaks Aaron's record by 156 homeruns. With that being the case, why talk about this? Who cares that he's not in the lineup?? I could not care less!
P.S. I know this is my second consecutive story about the Yankees. But honestly it bugs me that they get coverage for such meaningless things like a player is not starting or they trade for a few old guys who wont help them. However, this blog is supposed to be about all teams, not just a few. So I promise to do better to make a variety for you, my loyal followers.
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