Alex Rodriguez reports early to Yankees training camp
Alex Rodriguez reported to the New York Yankees following a season-long suspension, arriving three days ahead of schedule.
Rodriguez arrived shortly before 1 p.m. Monday at the team’s minor league complex. New York’s position players start workouts Thursday.
Rodriguez worked out for about an hour. He hit six home runs in 71 swings and took grounders at shortstop. The Yankees say Chase Headley will be their starting third baseman and Rodriguez will compete for at-bats at designated hitter.
Suspended for violations of baseball’s drug agreement and labor contract, Rodriguez apologized to team officials during a meeting on Feb. 10 and to fans in a statement last week. The three-time A.L. MVP has not spoken publicly about his actions that led to the suspension.
Rodriguez, who turns 40 in July, has not played a full season since 2007 because of the suspension, operations on both hips and other injuries.
He is owed $61 million in the final three seasons of his $275 million, 10-year contract. A marketing agreement signed at the time of his contract provides for five $6 million bonuses he could earn for historic achievements; the Yankees told him they don’t plan to pay those.
Gardenhire spurns Twins
Former manager Ron Gardenhire has decided to take the year off, rather than work as an adviser for Minnesota.
Gardenhire was fired after last season after 13 seasons and replaced by Paul Molitor, though his contract has another year on it. Gardenhire has a home near the Twins’ spring training facility in Fort Myers, Florida, but he decided to stay away and focus on his family.
Around the horn
Texas second baseman Jurickson Profar has undergone right shoulder surgery to repair a labrum tear and is expected to miss his second season in a row. … Adrian Beltre and the Rangers have reworked the final two seasons of the third baseman’s $96 million, six-year contract, eliminating the team’s conditional right to void his 2016 salary. … Detroit slugger Miguel Cabrera, who had offseason ankle surgery and has been hitting in the cage, said it’s too early to say whether he’ll be ready for opening day. … Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, missed 2 1/2 months last year while rehabilitating a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, threw for 34 minutes on level ground.
• The center fielder known as B.J. Upton through his first 11 major league seasons is now listed as Melvin Upton Jr. on Atlanta’s roster. Upton’s old initials stood for Bossman Junior, from his father Manny’s nickname “Bossman.” The Braves say Upton will answer questions about his name change when he reports. The 30-year-old has struggled in two seasons since signing a $75.25 million, five-year contract with Atlanta. He hit .184 in 2013 and .208 last year.