Cashman expresses doubts about A-Rod
New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez flips his helmet after lining out to right field with runners in scoring position to end the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. (Sept. 25, 2011) Credit: John Dunn
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- General manager Brian Cashman was blunt regarding Robinson Cano's ascension to the three-hole, at least against righthanders, and Mark Teixeira's move down to fifth in the order.
Yes, a lot of it had to do with Cano's hot second half. But it also related to underperforming by Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez, a late scratch Wednesday night because of a sore right knee.
"The other [reason] is Alex and Tex, where they're at, and where Robbie's currently at. Bottom line is you want to give your best hitters the most at-bats and put them in position to do the most damage," Cashman said. "Like anything else, you earn your way up the lineup, you earn your way back [down] the lineup."
Wednesday night against lefthander David Price, Teixeira, who has hit .297 against lefties, batted third and Cano fourth. Teixeira hit a grand slam and a solo homer in his first three at-bats.
Joe Girardi said to expect Teixeira and Cano to hit 3-4 against lefty starters in the postseason.
Rodriguez, who's in a 4-for-29 slump, is 13-for-68 since spraining his left thumb in his return from the disabled list Aug. 21. He was on the DL after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee July 11.
"I don't know," Cashman said when asked what he expected from A-Rod the rest of the way. "I just don't know. He's going to benefit from as many reps as he can get before Friday because of all the time he's missed, and I don't think he's quite there yet."
How much of his struggles are attributable to the rust and how much to the thumb (or perhaps the knee)? "Maybe it's a combination," Cashman said. "It's unfair for me to say . . . but I think a little bit of it all."
Cashman presided over a second straight day of meetings about the postseason roster. He said "no comment" when asked if the No. 3 starter had been determined or if he had decided to carry 10 or 11 pitchers.
Girardi indicated Austin Romine was more likely to be the backup catcher if the Yankees play Texas in the ALDS because of the Rangers' many lefties.
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