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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Rodriguez opts for pinstripes


Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez, right, says New York suits him just fine.
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

Alex Rodriguez’s torrid start has reaffirmed his intentions for after this season: He wants to stay in pinstripes.

Rodriguez, whose 14 homers have tied the record for April, said that he has no plans to leave the New York Yankees after the season, when the third baseman can opt of his contract.

“I want to stay in New York, no matter what,” Rodriguez said Tuesday. “I love New York. It’s the greatest place for me to play.”

Rodriguez is entering the seventh season of his $252 million, 10-year contract, a deal he signed with the Texas Rangers. He can terminate the agreement after the season, forfeit the $81 million owed in the final three years and become a free agent.

“Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter left the game against Tampa Bay with a bruised left thigh after being hit with a first-inning pitch by the Devil Rays’ Scott Kazmir.

“The Yankees activated right-hander Chien-Ming Wang from the 15-day disabled list to start Tuesday against Tampa Bay.

Carpenter tests elbow

St. Louis Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter played catch for the first time in two weeks, testing an elbow injury that has sidelined him since the season opener.

Carpenter, the 2005 Cy Young Award winner, made about 45 throws from flat ground while gradually increasing the distance to 120 feet.

If all goes well, Carpenter will play catch today, have more long toss on Thursday, then throw off a mound on Saturday.

Clearing the bases

Reliever LaTroy Hawkins was put on the 15-day DL by the Colorado Rockies, who activated reliever Tom Martin from the DL. Hawkins, a right-hander, is bothered by inflammation in his pitching elbow. … Tampa Bay’s Akinori Iwamura was placed on the 15-day DL with a right oblique strain that will sideline the former Japanese League star four to six weeks. … Ken Griffey Jr. returned to the Cincinnati Reds’ lineup after missing four starts with diverticulitis. … Baltimore Orioles right-hander Scott Williamson was placed on the 15-day DL because of tightness in his right triceps tendon. … The Kansas City Royals recalled right-hander Brian Bannister from Triple-A Omaha to start Tuesday night’s game against the Chicago White Sox. … Mark Prior had exploratory arthroscopic surgery on his injured right shoulder and it was unclear how long the Chicago Cubs pitcher would be sidelined. … Florida Marlins left-hander Dontrelle Willis became a first-time father when his wife, Natalee, gave birth to a 6-pound, 6-ounce girl.