ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez was somewhat surprised to hear Joe Girardi said there was talk about him taking ground balls at first before Yankees’ 5-1 loss to the Rays on Friday night at Tropicana Field.
Yet after taking batting practice, Rodriguez took grounders from third-base coach Joe Espada and said there was a chance he would get into a game at the position he has played two games at in his career. Both were last year, when the experiment ended because Rodriguez didn’t feel comfortable.
“Last year, the best way to help the team was hitting third. This year is different. This year I want to give Joe as much flexibility as possible,” said Rodriguez, who hasn’t started a game at DH or any other spot since July 22 against Giants lefty Madison Bumgarner.
He singled as a pinch-hitter against right-hander Erasmo Ramirez in the ninth inning Friday.
Based on how uncomfortable Rodriguez looked in two games last year and the way he hasn’t been moving on the bases this season, Rodriguez surfacing at first during a game would have to be under emergency circumstances.
Mark Teixeira is the starter and utility man Rob Refnsyder and backup catcher Austin Romine took ground balls during Friday’s early hitting workout.
With the Rays starting lefties Drew Smyly and Blake Snell on Saturday and Sunday, Rodriguez is likely to start, but Girardi wouldn’t commit to that after the loss.
“Worry about tomorrow, tomorrow,” Girardi said when asked if Rodriguez would be the DH Saturday.
Rodriguez said a time is coming when he will be called on to help despite a .206 average and a .620 OPS.
Carlos Beltran heard from his wife that his name was printed in a trade that sent him from the Yankees to Rangers on Thursday. For some reason, the Twins put that transaction on the scoreboard at Target Field during a game. The deal never happened, and Beltran simply shook his head.
“Nothing surprises me,’’ Beltran said.
After hearing it from his wife, did he feel a need to call GM Brian Cashman?
“No, if my agent doesn’t call …,” Beltran said. “I didn’t call anyone.”