Alex Rodriguez will participate in pregame ceremonies Monday
Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees walks off the field after he grounded out in the top of the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers during game four of the American League Championship Series at Comerica Park. (Oct. 18, 2012) Credit: Getty Images
WEST POINT, N.Y. -- Alex Rodriguez finally is rejoining the Yankees.
But not on the field, of course.
General manager Brian Cashman said Saturday that the third baseman will be at the Stadium on Monday for Opening Day. It will be the first time A-Rod is be with the team since Game 4 of last year's ALCS, a series swept by the Tigers.
Rodriguez has been rehabbing since undergoing surgery on his left hip Jan. 16. He also has been connected to the on-going Biogenesis investigation in Miami.
While the Yankees were in Tampa for spring training, A-Rod split his time rehabbing between New York and his home in Miami.
He could have elected to come to camp and rehab with his teammates but never did. That's something the Yankees -- though they never said it publicly -- were pleased about, preferring to avoid the distraction.
"I wouldn't see why he wouldn't do it,'' Joe Girardi said of A-Rod's participation in pregame ceremonies. "I don't know what the expectation is, but he's a part of our team and I'm looking forward to seeing him.''
Hafner scratchedDH Travis Hafner, whose last five seasons have been an amalgam of injuries, was a late scratch from Saturday's game with what initially was called "stiffness,'' though Girardi said he isn't worried. "He wasn't able to do his normal routine, his normal cage stuff, just a little stiff,'' he said. "Nothing to be concerned about.''
Girardi said that if it had been a regular-season game, Hafner would have played. His replacement, Brennan Boesch, hit a two-run homer.
Teixeira to see doctorMark Teixeira (partially torn tendon sheath) has a doctor's appointment Monday and hopes to hear he can shed the cast he has worn on his right hand for nearly four weeks.
"I hope they're going to tell me I can take this off and start strengthening it,'' Teixeira said of the wrist. "I've been trying to do as much as I can. I'm not allowed to do too much, but I've tried to push it as much as I can to get it stronger. But once this comes off, you can start doing a lot more. Hopefully that's what I'll be told on Monday.''
Teixeira still hopes for a May 1 return.
All setBrian Cashman said not to expect any more additions to the roster, which doesn't have to be official until 3 p.m. Sunday. "I have to make room for [Lyle] Overbay,'' he said, meaning on the 40-man roster. "I won't do it until I have to do it. And that's not because he's not going to be added. He knows he's going to be added. I just say I intend to add him so I'm not forced to make that move yet.''
