KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Alex Rodriguez is going to play third base Sunday or Monday, but the Yankees manager wasn’t sure which day.
“My lineup is made up and I have him at third one of the two days,’’ Girardi said of Rodriguez, who has appeared in two spring training games, both as designated hitter. “I am not sure what it is.’’
Because Girardi makes up lineups for four and five games and didn’t have the cards with him at Osceola County Stadium on Saturday, he couldn’t say if Rodriguez will play third against the Nationals on Monday or the Rays on Tuesday. Both games are at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Rodriguez is 1-for-4 with two walks and a strikeout in two games, but Girardi’s focus early in the exhibition season is the 39-year-old’s body — he has two surgically repaired hips and has played 44 games in the past two years, and none last year while suspended.
“His body is responding every day,” Girardi said. “That’s what you are curious to see. We haven’t had to give him days off for anything.’’
General manager Brian Cashman and Girardi both have said it’s not fair to evaluate any player until the final two weeks of a spring training. Still, it’s hard to take your eyes of Rodriguez at the plate.
“You look at how it is improving during the course of a two-week period,’’ Girardi said. “He has drawn a couple of walks and still knows the strike zone. You want guys to see a lot of pitches. Striking out isn’t the worst thing in spring training.’’
Six runs in the ninth carried the Yankees to a 9-4 win over the Astros on Saturday. Rob Refsnyder delivered a two-run single and Greg Bird his a two-run homer in the inning, which was started by Tyler Wade’s pinch-hit single. Wade is a 20-year-old infield prospect and played at Single-A Charleston a year ago.
CC Sabathia is scheduled to throw a simulated game/live batting practice session Sunday at Steinbrenner Field. Asked if Sabathia, who hasn’t appeared yet in an exhibition game, was being brought along slowly, Girardi acknowledged that is the plan for the lefty, who is coming off right knee surgery.
“We are taking it slow. He will throw a couple of innings [Sunday], but we can control it,’’ said Girardi, who expects Sabathia to be ready for Opening Day.
And who will be Girardi’s Opening Day starter?
“Not sure,’’ he said. “I have to see how these guys are doing.”
Masahiro Tanaka impressed in a simulated game Saturday and is ready for his initial exhibition start.
“Next step should be a game,’’ Girardi said.
Michael Pineda and Nathan Eovaldi will pitch Monday against the Rays in Tampa.
Slade Heathcott, a former first-round pick who was taken off the 40-man roster and given an invite to camp, was listed as the starting center fielder Saturday against the Astros, but was scratched because of a stomach issue that kept him up all night vomiting.
Backup infielder Brendan Ryan still is listed as day-to-day with a muscle problem in his back. He hasn’t played in a game yet.