A-Rod aware of Galea's charge; still not talking

Alex Rodriguez said he was aware that Anthony Galea was officially charged Tuesday but that was about it.

"I've seen a little bit of it [coverage] but I've been really busy," Rodriguez said as he left the clubhouse before last night's game against the Rays to take batting practice.

Galea, a Canadian sports doctor, was charged with smuggling, unlawful distribution of human growth hormone, introducing unapproved drug Actovegin into interstate commerce and conspiring to lie to federal agents and defraud the United States. The charges were part of a criminal complaint in U.S. District Court in Buffalo.

Rodriguez said in early March that he had been contacted by federal authorities and planned to cooperate with investigators. Rodriguez, whom Galea said he treated with anti-inflammatories during A-Rod's recovery last year from hip surgery, said then he hoped to meet with the feds before the start of the regular season. But no meeting took place in spring training and he is not believed to have met with authorities since the season started.

"I can't get into any of that," Rodriguez said Wednesday when asked about a meeting with the feds.

A bit short

Joe Girardi admits the Yankees are playing "a little short," with only Ramiro Peña in reserve on the bench. Peña is the emergency catcher, though Girardi said Jorge Posada was healthy enough to where he'd put him behind the plate before Peña. The question did lead to some gallows humor from Girardi, asked if he'd put "Peña" in ahead of Posada. Tony?" Girardi said, referencing the Yankees' bench coach and former catcher.

Protest is on

The Yankees went ahead with their protest of Tuesday night's loss to the Red Sox, though their slim chance of winning it evaporated to virtually none with Josh Beckett ending up on the disabled list with back spasms. Girardi informed crew chief Larry Vanover of his intent to protest the game when Manny Delcarmen was given all the time he needed to warm up with two outs in the fifth inning in relief of Beckett. The Yankees claimed there was no indication that Beckett was injured before the call to the bullpen.