New York Yankees expected to activate Alex Rodriguez on Saturday– MLB News
Alex Rodriguez has completed his rehab assignment with the minor league affiliate and is geared up to make his way back into the New York Yankees’ roster. Rodriguez, Yankees’ third baseman and star slugger underwent a knee surgery just near the All-Star
Game and has been out of action since. He also missed this season’s All-Star clash due to this surgery.
Rodriguez, well-known as A-Rod, joined the Yankees on Thursday, August 18 but is still not reached his best and remains on the disabled list, till Saturday, August 20 at least. A-Rod, commenting on his fitness after the rehab assignment, said that he still
has to work hard to regain full fitness and running between bases still remains a problem for him.
A-Rod played his first game on Tuesday, August 16 at Scranton and seemed to be extra cautious throughout the game. His hitting form seemed to be better than his fielding form but at third base, fielding is not a critical issue. Immense arm strength is required
at third base and Rodriguez is one of the best when it comes to strength.
Yankees’ manager Joe Girardi believed that Rodriguez, although not moving as freely as he was before the surgery, is in a much better position to make it as an everyday player but the management does not want to risk A-Rod for a longer-term.
Rodriguez, convinced with his hitting form, still has issues with his speed. He said, "The one thing that I'm lacking the most is first-step quickness."
Pointing out that strength coach Dana Cavalea has a lot of work to do in the next couple of days before he makes his start for the Yankees, A-Rod said, "When you have to go first-to-third or score from first on a double, the last thing is - and probably
the most important thing - is the conditioning. I have got myself out of shape here.”
The Yankees are expected to trim their pitching staff from 13 to 12 to make way for Rodriguez in the roster. Hector Noesi, who has just 18 pitches per appearance, is likely to make way for the star player.
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