Girardi says he worried about getting other All-Stars hurt

The question was about Alex Rodriguez's sore right thumb. Joe Girardi quickly answered that A-Rod is "healthy," then answered a question that hadn't been asked.

Perhaps still smarting from the criticism he received after Tuesday's All-Star Game, Girardi gave one of his longest answers of the season, an explanation why A-Rod stayed on the bench in the ninth inning of the American League's 3-1 loss. It became a major story when David Ortiz was thrown out at second on an apparent bloop single for the second out and Ian Kinsler - representing the tying run - flied out to end the game while A-Rod and his 597 career home runs merely watched.

"As I've said, and I'll say it again, I would rather be fired than ever hurt one of my players or risk hurting one of my players," Girardi said.

The problem, he said, revolved around Boston's Adrian Beltre, who came into the game with a hamstring issue.

"I was nervous about playing him," Girardi said. "He insisted he wanted to play. I respected his wishes because I thought he earned it. I had him for two innings. Adrian and I talked about it. Al was going to go to third. So if I would have pinch ran for Big Papi, I'm out of players. And how am I going to explain to an organization, well, I had to use your pitcher to hit and he pulled a rib-cage muscle.

"The last thing I wanted to do is jeopardize any of the 14 teams in our league a chance to win."

Joe tries to pay respects

Beyond a statement released the day after George Steinbrenner's death, his family has been quiet since Tuesday.

"I have left messages and I was able to talk to Felix [Lopez],'' Girardi said of Steinbrenner's son-in-law. "I look forward to seeing them again where I can tell them in person."

Helpful rest

Mariano Rivera pulled himself out of the All-Star Game with pain in his left oblique and right knee, and Girardi said the four days off "probably did him a lot of good."

But that doesn't mean there's no worry. "I'm always going to have concerns because he's so important to us and he's 40 years old, so you're always going to have concerns," Girardi said. "But he told me he felt good."

Mitre close

Sergio Mitre (oblique) ran on the field before Friday's game and will throw a bullpen session Saturday. Mitre, who threw 60 pitches for Double-A Trenton on Thursday, his fourth rehab appearance, said: "I'm good to go."

Extra bases

First baseman Juan Miranda was brought up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and served as the DH. Utilityman Kevin Russo was sent down . . . Girardi said Alfredo Aceves (back) is expected to play catch Saturday. Girardi said Nick Johnson, who had recurring pain in his right wrist while taking batting practice, has been doing "more intense strengthening" exercises with the wrist but has not yet tried swinging a bat.