TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez made his spring training debut at third base, cleanly handling his only chance, and the New York Yankees beat the Washington Nationals 3-2 on Sunday.
Rodriguez, the designated hitter in two earlier games, hit a pop-fly double and struck out to finish 1-for-2 in five innings. He made a nice, backhanded grab on Tyler Moore’s grounder and threw him out to end the third.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi and general manager Brian Cashman say Chase Headley will be their starting third baseman. Rodriguez will compete primarily for at-bats at DH as he returns from a one-year drug suspension. He is also going to get limited time at third and possibly first base.
“Game speed is the one thing you can’t emulate,” Rodriguez said. “Being away from the game, that’s the hardest thing to adjust to. I’ll give it a shot.”
The three-time American League MVP, who turns 40 in July, has not played a full season since 2007 because the suspension, operations on both hips and other injuries.
“We understand he’s not 25 years old, but I haven’t seen a difference from where he was a couple years ago,” Girardi said.
Washington starter Doug Fister allowed one hit in two scoreless innings.
“I feel healthy and that’s my first and No. 1 key,” Fister said. “Not a bad outing to look at overall. Seeing some of the swings, seeing some of the locations, I feel OK where we’re at right now.”
Michael Taylor homered on the first pitch of the game against Adam Warren and Tyler Moore doubled twice for the Nationals.
“Went up there aggressive and got a good pitch to hit,” Taylor said. “I think that’s something I do naturally, sometimes a little too aggressive. I think that’s part of my game.”
Thumbnail photo via Reinhold Matay/USA TODAY Sports Images
