With a lot of new faces in the Yankee dugout yesterday, an old one returned to cheer on his teammates. Alex Rodriguez was on hand for Opening Day, his 10th now as a Yankee. This was Rodriguez’s first time being around the team since last October.
The third-baseman has been busy with rehabbing his surgically repaired hip. Yesterday, he publicly spoke for the first time since the surgery, and also since allegations arose that he was connected with PED’s and the biogenesis clinic in Miami, Fla. Rodriguez would not comment on the allegations or the ongoing investigation. He did however say that, as of right now, the rehab and recovery is going as planned.
According to a story written by Yankees beat writer, Bryan Hoch, Rodriguez was quoted as saying “The recovery is going very well. I’ve been devoting 100 percent of my time and my focus into getting back and playing and helping this team win a title.” Rodriguez also said that the rehab is in “stage one” so there is still a long way to go.
Rodriguez declined to be introduced in the pre-game festivities before yesterday’s game, likely a smart decision considering the reception he would have received. He wants to be playing and 100% healthy before he is introduced to the fans again. “When I get introduced, I want to be on the field and not look back.”
A-Rod and the Yankees are looking forward to the challenge of proving all the naysayers wrong this season. “I love when people say, ‘You can’t do this, you can’t do that, you’re old.’ I find it a great challenge,” he said.
Rodriguez is not expected to be back with the team until just after the All-Star break, at the earliest.
