Who’s on first? Yanks give A-Rod a shot
CLEARWATER, Fla. − Over two decades in the majors, Alex Rodriguez has never started a game anywhere other than on the left side of the infield. Sunday’s exhibition tilt in Kissimmee won’t change that officially, but A-Rod will start at first base against the Astros, the first time in his career he will have played anywhere other than shortstop or third base.
“He’s done some extra work,” Joe Girardi said. “We did cutoff relays with the shift the other day and we had him at first doing it. We’ll go over the bunt defenses again before we leave. Those are the things that are going to be a little tricky.”
Rodriguez plans to get some extra work in on a back field Saturday with coaches Joe Espada and Rob Thomson in advance of Sunday’s game. He’s even going to break out his first baseman’s mitt − which a clubbie has been breaking in for him − for the first time.
A-Rod went 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in Friday’s 10-0, rain-shortened win over the Phillies, testing his legs on the basepaths twice by going first-to-third and second-to-home.
“I know it doesn’t look good, but it felt pretty good,” Rodriguez said. “If I can just keep making small strides every day, I’ll take that.”
Girardi has no plans to use A-Rod at first base during the season, viewing him as more of a “break glass in case of emergency” option. Garrett Jones will be Mark Teixeira’s primary backup at first.
“If something were to happen to one of them, just trying to prepare ourselves,” Girardi said. “As we know, it’s a long grind and there’s some day games after night games, and there’s some days that we’ll get in late, and those might be days that you choose to sit certain people. I think the one thing that we have with this club, we have depth.”
“I’m thinking of first base to give Joe as many options as he could possibly have,” Rodriguez said. “I know he likes to give guys rest; I know he likes matchups. I just want to be an asset to Joe all year.”
GIRARDI TAKES FIFTH
Brian Cashman may have tabbed Adam Warren as the “Secretariat” of the race for the No. 5 starter job, but Girardi still wasn’t ready to make an announcement after naming the top four starters in his rotation.
“When it all comes down to it, I have to look at the 12 spots, not just one individual spot,’ said Girardi, who is still trying to figure out who will fill the final two spots in the bullpen. “He’s been great. He’s pitched well.”
A reporter pressed Girardi with another question about Warren, at which point the manager opted to shut down any further talk about the fifth starter.
DREW CREW
Stephen Drew went 3-for-3 Friday, raising his average to .231 this spring. He had been 6-for-36 (.167) entering the game. . . . Michael Pineda threw five shutout innings, allowing five hits. He struck out five without issuing a walk. . . . Jacoby Ellsbury (oblique) came through Friday’s drills without a problem. He will take batting practice on the field Saturday and is slated to play in a minor-league game Tuesday.