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Girardi: A-Rod won't get in rehab games until MRI

BY ANTHONY RIEBER | anthony.rieber@newsday.com

May 9, 2008

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Alex Rodriguez was surprised yesterday morning to learn from reporters that he is eligible to come off the disabled list next Thursday, not next Wednesday as he had originally believed.

"That --," he said. "That's bad news."

Actually, the Yankees don't consider it bad news. They don't want to rush A-Rod back from the strained right quadriceps muscle that has had him on the DL since April 30. They tried that once and it didn't work out well.

Rodriguez took batting practice for the second straight day before the Yankees-Indians matinee. He also ran on the wet outfield grass. Afterward, he said it went "good. Good, good, good."

So that's good news for the Yankees.

Rodriguez headed for Tampa, Fla., after the game to continue his rehab. Injured Jorge Posada and Phil Hughes joined him. Posada is set to test his strained right shoulder with some light throwing on Monday, manager Joe Girardi said.

As for Rodriguez, he will not play in any rehab games until he gets an MRI, which Girardi said would be scheduled for "sometime next week." So it's possible A-Rod may not return until next weekend's first installment of the Subway Series at Yankee Stadium.

Girardi ruled out bringing Rodriguez back as the designated hitter, which the Yankees attempted to do when he first hurt the quad in mid-April. Rodriguez re-injured it, leading to his first DL stint as a Yankee.

"We have to make sure he's 100 percent," Girardi said. "To me, 100 percent is he can play his position."

Extra bases

Kei Igawa makes his first start of the season tonight in Detroit. "Just compete," Girardi said. "That's all I'm asking him to do." Kenny Rogers starts for the Tigers ... Mike Mussina's 255th win gives him sole possession of 39th on the all-time list ... The Yankees still haven't heard of MLB's decision regarding Kyle Farnsworth's appeal of his three-game suspension for throwing inside on Manny Ramirez on April 17. Farnsworth's appeal was heard on Tuesday. The team expects him to start serving tonight.