After leaving yesterday’s game with soreness in his lower back and oblique, A-Rod sat out today’s game. He didn’t come up to pinch hit for Eric Chavez against a lefty in the 8th inning, and while the non-move luckily paid off, I was surprised and worried that A-Rod didn’t come up. After the game, Joe Girardi addressed A-Rod’s condition. He said that the team sent their third baseman for an MRI today, and the results came back “clean.”
That’s great news for the slugger, but the Yanks aren’t out of the woods yet. Girardi said the team will play it by ear going forward, and they can enjoy the luxury of an off-day tomorrow. By the time the Yanks take the turf against the Blue Jays on Tuesday, A-Rod will have enjoyed around 75 hours of rest and treatment. Hopefully, that will be long enough. The Yanks, meanwhile, have the bench to cover for a short-term A-Rod absence.