Derek Jeter won’t be in pinstripes next season when the New York Yankees open spring training, but Alex Rodriguez will be back after he comes off the exempt list at the end of the World Series when his yearlong suspension for his connection to the Biogenesis drug scandal ends. But whether Rodriguez returns to the starting lineup remains a question mark.
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Rodriguez turns 40 in July and after more than a year off from baseball legitimate questions linger about his health and his ability when he steps back in the batter’s box when spring training begins in February.
“We have to see where he is at,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Monday during his end-of-season news conference. “I think that is the thing that we have to do. I believe he is going to be 40 next summer, and we need to see where he is physically at.”
Will he be able to hold down a spot in the middle of the batting order and continue to play third base or will be be a designated hitter?
These are questions manager Joe Girardi will have to ponder during the next few months, and he’ll have some more time on his hands as the Yankees missed the playoffs for the second year in a row.
“Do we expect him to be a player on our team? Absolutely,” Girardi said. “Do we expect him to play third base? Yes, [but] in fairness we have to see where he is at.”
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