Alex Rodriguez to Play 1st Base for the Yankees?
After missing the entire 2014 season while serving a suspension for his role in the Biogenesis scandal, Alex Rodriguez could be returning to the team at a different position.
According to ESPNNewYork.com’s Andrew Marchand, the team has spoken with Rodriguez about playing first base to help preserve his health, as the three-time American League MVP is 39 years old and has undergone surgery on each of his hips in the past five years, including left hip surgery that limited him to just 44 games in 2013.
“I don’t think it’s safe to assume that [Rodriguez] can play third base,’’ Yankees GM Brian Cashman told ESPNNewYork.com. “With his age and missing a full year, you have to have some perspective. This is a very difficult game. Alex is up for that challenge, but I think it’s safer to assume that might not be something that he can handle the whole year.’’
Rodriguez hasn’t played a full season since 2007, missing 24 or more games every year from 2008-2013. He was banned from MLB last season after his original 211-game ban was reduced to 162 games by an arbitrator in January.
Rodriguez and 14 other players, including sluggers Ryan Braun and Nelson Cruz, were suspended last season in conjunction with MLB’s investigation into Biogenesis, which was reported to have been supplying players with synthetic testosterone and human growth hormone.
Thirteen of those players received and served 50 game bans, while Braun’s suspension was 65 games. Rodriguez was the only player who appealed his suspension.
In 20 MLB seasons, Rodriguez has hit 654 home runs, the fifth most all-time. Only Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714), and Willie Mays (660) hit more home runs in their careers than Rodriguez. He has 99 more career home runs than any other active player, with the closest being Manny Ramirez at 555.
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