Alex Rodriguez could get Sunday off

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Joe Girardi said in spring training that a big part of his job this season will be keeping Alex Rodriguez on the field. And part of that occasionally will be keeping the third baseman off it.

Girardi, who had Derek Jeter at designated hitter Saturday night, said he might give A-Rod the entire day off Sunday. "Three days in a row on turf? I worry about some of our guys on that, especially early on,'' he said. "I'll see how he feels and make a decision tomorrow."

Keeping the left side of his infield healthy will be a challenge, given that Jeter turns 38 in June and A-Rod turns 37 in July. Both players spent time on the disabled list last season, with Rodriguez especially nicked up. Three injuries -- knee, shoulder and thumb -- limited him to a career-low 99 games. Said Girardi, "We have to be smart about it."