A-Rod could return next week

Alex Rodriguez could rejoin the Yankees next week, according to Joe Girardi.

The manager said Rodriguez, who ran the bases for the first time yesterday in Tampa, is "getting pretty close" to playing in a minor-league game on Friday or Saturday.

"Part of it probably depends on when he starts and how he feels in those first couple of games," Girardi said. "But I think next week is realistic."

It's unclear how many rehab games Rodriguez would need to play before he returns, though it could be as few as one. Girardi said it depends on how he feels. "You don't know if he's going to have his timing and you don't know if he's going to feel stable on his knee running the bases," he said. "You can't just throw a random number out there. When he's ready we'll have him back, though, I can tell you that."

Hughes starting Saturday

Questions about Phil Hughes' next start were raised after he entered Sunday night's game against the Red Sox in the 10th inning and ultimately wound up with the loss. As a result, he was ruled out of the three-game series against the Angels. But Girardi said Tuesday that CC Sabathia will pitch the series opener against the Rays Friday night, followed by Hughes Saturday and Freddy Garcia on Sunday.

Girardi said he chose to go with A.J. Burnett, Ivan Nova and Bartolo Colon against the Angels strictly based on their rest schedule.

Extra bases

Sergio Mitre said he's "90 percent" sure he'll have right shoulder surgery, but he wants a second opinion. An MRI revealed the reliever has a pinched nerve, but there is no structural damage. "All of a sudden I came here and then my velocity dropped like six miles an hour and I'm getting hit all over the place. And the worst part of it is nothing hurt."