A-Rod hits single in return from drug ban
Alex Rodriguez returned to the New York Yankees after an absence of more than 17 months, lining a single into short left field in his first at-bat and going 1 for 2 with a walk in a 3-1 spring-training loss to the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday.
Greeted by a 10-second mix of boos and cheers from the crowd of 9,673 as he stepped into the batter’s box for his first game following a one-year drug suspension, Rodriguez was wearing the Yankees’ white uniform with pinstripes for the team’s exhibition season home opener rather than the usual dark blue jersey used in exhibition games.
“Once you hit rock bottom, any time you hear a few cheers these days is a pleasant surprise,” he said.
Rodriguez swung at the first four of 10 pitches he saw in three plate appearances. Batting second as New York’s designated hitter, he swung past a pair of 91 mph pitches from Philadelphia’s Kevin Slowey in the first inning.
“I felt like I was swinging under water,” he said. “I was like, man, it’s been a long time.”
He lined a soft single to left on an 89 mph 0-2 offering that was over the plate. That drew cheers from fans at Steinbrenner Field on a sunny afternoon with a temperature in the low 80s.
“It’s probably the first spring training game in a long time that he’s been a little anxious,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.
Stars return for Orioles in loss to Tigers: Matt Wieters and Manny Machado each were hitless in three at-bats in their first game since their seasons were cut short by injuries last year, and the Baltimore Orioles lost to the Detroit Tigers 5-4 Wednesday.
Wieters had Tommy John surgery in June and Machado underwent knee surgery in August.
Machado, the 22-year-old third baseman, played seven innings and made a neat backhand play, throwing out Detroit’s Hernan Perez from foul ground in the fourth inning.
Wieters, a Gold Glove catcher, served as Baltimore’s designated hitter and was removed after his third at-bat. He expects to catch on March 17 and hopes to be ready for the season opener.
Rays’ Cobb to start opening day: The Tampa Bay Rays have selected right-hander Alex Cobb as their opening day starting pitcher.
Manager Kevin Cash made the announcement Wednesday. Cobb was 10-9 with 2.87 ERA in 27 starts last season and ascended to the top of Tampa Bay’s rotation when David Price was traded last summer.
Price was the opening day starter three of the past four years.
Tigers release Hanrahan: The Detroit Tigers have released right-handed pitcher Joel Hanrahan. Detroit said that Hanrahan would have his second Tommy John surgery March 18.
The Tigers signed Hanrahan last May, a year after his first surgery, but he never appeared in a game.
Detroit re-signed him in November.
Manager Brad Ausmus said before Wednesday’s game with the Baltimore Orioles that Hanrahan could have helped the Tigers if he had been healthy.
“He’s going to get the surgery, rehab and reconsider what’s next on his agenda – whether he’s going to try and play again or not,” Ausmus said.
Hanrahan is 22-18 with a 3.85 ERA and 100 saves in seven seasons with Washington, Pittsburgh and Boston.