Look who’s back! A-Rod returns to give instruction
Alex Rodriguez was back in pinstripes Friday, kicking off his second life as a special instructor with the Yankees. The three-time AL MVP was at the Yankees’ minor-league complex in Tampa, chatting with top prospects Clint Frazier, Blake Rutherford and Jorge Mateo following their early hitting drills.
A-Rod sat in the dugout during the Yankees’ instructional league game against Toronto, his familiar No. 13 on his back.
“It still fits. That’s a good thing,” Rodriguez told the Associated Press. “It feels great to be back in pinstripes.”
Rodriguez agreed to his new role after a conversation with Hal Steinbrenner in early-August, after which the Yankees released the controversial slugger. He has spoken many times about his desire to work with the Yankees’ young players to help develop the next generation of stars.
“We owe the game,” Rodriguez said. “In many ways it’s our responsibility and privilege to pay it forward. … The talent jumps off the page. This is as much good young talent that I’ve seen here in all my years here.”
Joe Girardi believes A-Rod can be a valuable asset for the Yankees’ prospects, who can learn a lot on and off the field from the 41-year-old.
“He was an outstanding defender, he was an outstanding hitter, he was an outstanding run producer, he was an outstanding baserunner,” Girardi said. “He knew the game. Those kids should just sit around and pick his brain; that’s what they should do as much as they can. I think he can help in a lot of different areas — and he can help in some dos and don’ts.”
DON’T KNOW YET
Masahiro Tanaka (flexor mass strain) will not start Saturday’s game. Instead, Luis Severino will take the mound … Starlin Castro and Brett Gardner were out of the lineup Friday, though Girardi said they would both be back on the field Saturday. … Dee Snider, lead singer of the rock band Twisted Sister, presented Mark Teixeira with a custom guitar before the game. Teixeira has used the band’s song, “I Wanna Rock,” as one of his walk-up songs for several years.
Severino said he was fined $2,500 for his role in last week’s Yankees-Blue Jays brawl, but not suspended. Severino plans to appeal the fine.
NEXT GAME
Today, 4:05 p.m., RHP Luis Severino vs. LHP Wade Miley (9-13, 5.40); TV: YES