Yankees baseball blog

A-Rod in trouble?

 MLB is taking "very seriously" allegations of A-Rod having participated in illegal poker games, though specifically when and how recent remains in question.

"We take this very seriously and have been investigating this matter since the initial allegation," MLB said in a statement Thursday. "As part of the investigation, the Commissioner's Office will interview Mr. Rodriguez."

An MLB spokesperson declined to comment on whether the investigation could eventually lead to a suspension.

Any attempt, however, to suspend Rodriguez would likely be met with fierce opposition from the Players Association. (continue)

A-Rod's knee a concern for Yanks

The hits and average have been there. But the power in Alex Rodriguez's swing has not, so yesterday the Yankees sent their All-Star cleanup hitter for an MRI exam on his sore right knee.

"His knee is bothering him and that's why he went for the MRI [exam]," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.

Long before last night's game with the Rays was an official washout, manager Joe Girardi had decided to give Rodriguez the game off.

Rodriguez, who withdrew from Tuesday's All-Star Game in Arizona, joining teammates Derek Jeter (calf) and Mariano Rivera (triceps) as other medical no-shows, may be available today, pending the outcome of the MRI he underwent at New York Presbyterian Hospital. (continue)

When will A-Rod wake up?

A-Rod has used Warren Buffet as a trusted adviser in recent years, developing a unique friendship with the 80-year-old billionaire.

Buffett's influence may never have been clearer than it was on Sunday, when A-Rod brushed aside talk of his current slump, comparing himself to a blue-chip stock.

"I don't worry about it," Rodriguez said. "I always look at baseball like the stock market: you don't look at it every day. When it's a good stock, after a long season, it's going to be there." (News)

A-Rod seeking 2nd ring

A-Rod had to "knock my head against the wall many, many times" to finally arrive at the simplified approach to his baseball life that he credits with erasing his rep as a postseason choker.

So A-Rod, in the playoffs again after his monster October last year, sees no reason to change anything. "I plan to take the same mind-set into this year," Rodriguez said Tuesday after the Yankees' series workout at Target Field. "My focus has been on the team, trying to simplify the game, enjoy the game, enjoy my teammates. And, you know, it has been fun. It has taken me awhile to get to this point, but I think it feels good to be here." (News)

A-Rod to DL

Brian Cashman was unwilling to tempt fate with Alex Rodriguez’s strained left calf.

Instead, the Yankees general manager opted to put Rodriguez on the 15-day disabled list today. Rodriguez will be eligible to return on Sept. 5, the day before Labor Day.

Rodriguez first felt tightness in his calf on Monday, leaving the Yankees’ 3-1 loss to the Tigers after four innings. He tried to play Friday, but came out after one at-bat. That was enough for Cashman.

"I didn’t sleep well [Friday] night. Consulted with our doctors, trainers, manager and [Rodriguez]," Cashman said. "We can’t [mess] around. With six days [since the injury] and we did what we did, I can’t tolerate that. (NY Post)

A-Rod exits early in Yanks loss

The Yankees watched their 10-game winning streak against the Orioles come to an end Thursday night, but there was a much bigger cloud looming as they headed back home to the Bronx.

A-Rod was pulled from the game after the first inning with stiffness in his right groin, the same injury that forced him to leave Sunday's game early.

"For the last two days, it felt exactly the same," Rodriguez said. "Once I get warm, it gets going. Today, it just cramped up for several minutes prior to BP and prior to the game. I just couldn't get it quite loose enough." Continue

A-Rod supplies power in Yanks' win

Alex Rodriguez was bound to bust out and eventually start carrying the depleted Yankees.

It seemed that everyone, except for maybe Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, saw it coming when the slugger strode to the plate Friday night in the seventh inning.

Following an intentional walk to Mark Teixeira to load the bases with his team down by one run, A-Rod did more than just improve on his already-gaudy numbers against Minnesota reliever Matt Guerrier.

Rodriguez's 587th career homer and 19th grand slam propelled the Yanks to an 8-4 win over the Twins at the Stadium - and perhaps jolted them out of a few days of offensive doldrums just when they needed the middle of their order to start doing so. Continue

A-Rod hits 1st meaningless home run in Yanks win

The Yankees already had a six-run lead by the time A-Rod sent a high drive soaring toward the right-field stands Saturday. A few years ago, A-Rod might have been criticized for hitting another cosmetic blow in a blowout, but Saturday's shot perhaps sent a message to the rest of the American League .

The Yankees, who have won despite a sluggish start from their biggest hitter - and less than that from their No. 3 batter, Mark Teixeira - could be even better than the juggernaut they appear to be after another victory that showcased their variety of skills. Continue

A-Rod meeting with feds postponed

Alex Rodriguez didn't shuffle off to Buffalo yesterday, but he certainly did some dancing around the subject.

Rodriguez, reportedly expected to meet with the feds in Buffalo yesterday, had his meeting postponed by mutual consent, a person familiar with the delay told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized.

Rodriguez, perhaps because of that prohibition, was vague when asked about why he hasn't talked with the FBI and when he will.

"This is what I can tell you," A-Rod said yesterday, "is nothing's changed." Continue

A-Rod hits first A-Bomb of the spring

The ball arced high into the Florida sunshine, soaring toward the scoreboard.Alex Rodriguez took a small hop and started trotting to first base. He knew from the moment of contact that his third-inning drive off Rick Porcello Friday would be a home run, but even A-Rod didn't know just how far it would fly.

The blast cleared the left side of the huge scoreboard beyond the fence in left-center and sent an excited murmur through the crowd at Steinbrenner Field. A tape-measure shot indeed, but more than that, it showed that Rodriguez's finely honed swing is percolating. "That one felt really good just because that wasn't an everyday home run," Rodriguez said. "We're a few weeks away now. You're going to be getting at-bats against guys you're going to face for the next six months - time to get sharp." Continue