After going 3-for-3 in the first game of Monday's Labor Day doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays, Yankees third basemen Alex Rodriguez sat out the nightcap to rest his right hip.
Rodriguez had arthroscopic surgery on the hip in March and missed the first two months of the season. Although it was believed he’s need a second surgery at the end of the season, recent reports suggest that another surgery probably won’t be necessary since his recovery is progressing so well.
As the Yankees' lead over the Red Sox in the AL East increases (it currently stands at nine games), manager Joe Girardi can afford to be cautious with his superstar third baseman. The trade deadline acquisition of Jerry Hairston Jr. from the Cincinnati Reds gives Girardi flexibility in his infield and a greater opportunity to keep Rodriguez fresh for the postseason.
Despite Rodriguez's absence from the second game against the Rays, his teammates picked up the slack and piled eight runs on Tampa Bay starter Andy Sonnanstine in 2 2/3 innings before Rays manager Joe Maddon handed it over to the bullpen.
Hairston, playing in place of Rodriguez, went 2-for-4 with an RBI and run in the Yankees’ 11-1 win.
