TAMPA — Joe Girardi wants to talk to Alex Rodriguez before deciding if Rodriguez will play in Monday’s intra-squad game at George M. Steinbrenner Field or Tuesday’s exhibition opener against the Phillies in Clearwater, Fla.
Until they have the chat, Rodriguez didn’t want to get ahead of his manager.
“I haven’t talked to Joe, I will talk to Joe first,’’ Rodriguez said following Sunday’s workout, in which he fielded ground balls at first and third and took batting practice.
The small crowd on hand cheered Rodriguez after each round of BP.
If Rodriguez tells Girardi his 39-year-old body is holding up and believes there has been enough rust removed after playing 44 games in the past two seasons — including zero last year while suspended — there is a chance Rodriguez plays third base against the Phillies and Chase Headley would play the position Wednesday in the Yankees’ exhibition home opener at GMS Field.
“I am not a scout,’’ Rodriguez said of where his swing was after taking batting practice six straight days. “I feel pretty good. So far so good.”
As for the first-base experiment, which continues without the proper glove that is being broken in, Rodriguez says he is enjoying tinkering on the other side of the infield.
“It’s fun, it’s a completely different perspective,’’ said Rodriguez, who greeted general partner Hank Steinbrenner with a handshake in between drills.
Masahiro Tanaka throws his first batting practice session Monday.
Yankees players hosted the family and children of Special Operations Warrior Foundation at GMS Field on Sunday afternoon.
Monday at 10 a.m., Richard Albero, a 65-year-old former naval officer and education professional born in New Jersey and former resident of Dutchess County, N.Y., will begin a 1,200-mile walk from home plate at GMS to home plate in Yankee Stadium to support the Wounded Warrior project.
Albero is honoring his nephew, Gary Albero, who died in the 9/11 attacks. Each mile of the walk will be dedicated to a different Yankee player in the club’s history.
Albero’s goal is to raise $25,000 during the three-month walk, and $9,000 already has been raised.
“My goal is to support the soldiers who have bravely fought to protect us,’’ said Albero, who is working with New York-based Wish You Were Here Productions on the project.
Girardi announced the starters for the first three exhibition games.
Adam Warren will face the Phillies on Tuesday, Nathan Eovaldi sees the Phils on Wednesday and Esmil Rogers goes Thursday in Bradenton.
The Yankees will play an intra-squad game Monday in which a pitching machine will be used instead of live arms.