Joe ready for Coach Rodriguez

TAMPA — Alex Rodriguez had many highs and lows in pinstripes, from his World Series championship in 2009 to his season-long suspension in 2014 following the Biogenesis scandal. Now, A-Rod will debut as a $21 million special instructor for the Yankees at spring training today. It’s been quite a ride. “Mr. (George) Steinbrenner always gave people second and third chances and brought people back to the organization that did really good things for the organization,” Joe Girardi said Monday. “There are situations that happen that aren’t always so positive, but that didn’t keep Mr. Steinbrenner from bringing people back, and Hal’s doing the same thing.”

As far as his expectations for A-Rod, the manager said, “To work with our players; to extend the knowledge that he has about playing the game and talking to the young kids; how to deal with expectations; how to deal with different positions and how to hit in the middle of the order. You know, all the things Alex did well. Those are the things that we want him to offer: insights to our young players and to the older players as well.”

ESPN has reported that A-Rod will be with the Yankees for approximately three days.

Nick Swisher began his first spring training as a special instructor Monday.

“We were laughing about how he says he’s feeling good now that he’s not playing anymore. I said, ‘Yeah, that’s how you get tricked,’” Girardi said, joking. “Swish has a lot of insight as well being a switch hitter and playing outfield and first base. He put up big numbers and is a really high-energy guy.”