A-Rod has uneventful return to Yankees after one-year suspension

Alex Rodriguez listened to the cheers and waved his cap. He worked out an eight-pitch walk, lined an opposite-field single into right field and flied out. A-Rod was back with the Yankees, in pinstripes, in front of the not-quite adoring but forever-forgiving fans on a sunny opening day. Back from an unprecedented season-long drug suspension, Rodriguez received a loud ovation and, for a designated hitter, a rare shout-out from the Bleacher Creatures. He was dropped to seventh in the batting order and went 1 for 2 Monday in a 6-1 loss to Toronto. “It means the world to me,” he said during a string of saccharine postgame comments. “I don’t think I ever took it for granted, but I can guarantee you I won’t take this year for granted.” – Associated Press