New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez pops up during a minor league rehab start for the Trenton Thunder, against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, in Trenton, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
The Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) - Rather than activate Alex Rodriguez from the disabled list, the New York Yankees sent him to Double-A Trenton to start an injury rehabilitation assignment.
Sidelined since straining his right hamstring on May 3, Rodriguez was 2 for 4 for the Thunder in a 3-2, 11-inning win over New Hampshire on Tuesday night. The 40-year-old designated hitter popped out, hit an RBI single to center, grounded into a forceout and singled to left.
New York is leaning toward activating him for a trip that starts Friday at Tampa Bay but could shorten Rodriguez's time in the minors if he feels good.
"We were thinking a couple of days and see where he's at," manager Joe Girardi said. "It's more for knocking off the rust. I think we feel pretty good about his hamstring, but in saying that, it will give us a good idea of where it's really at because it's hard to simulate game activities."
Rodriguez is 3 for 17 (.177) with a home run since 2013 against knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, Toronto's scheduled starter Tuesday against New York.
Right-hander Luis Severino, on the disabled list since leaving a May 13 start with a strained right triceps, is set to pitch a rehab game Sunday for Class A Tampa at Brevard County.
Also Tuesday, the Yankees claimed right-hander Layne Somsen off waivers from Cincinnati and optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The 26-year-old, a 22nd-round pick in the 2013 amateur draft, made his big league debut on May 14 with a scoreless inning at Philadelphia, then allowed five earned runs two days later at Cleveland.
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez warms up before a minor league rehab start for the Trenton Thunder, against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, in Trenton, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
The Associated Press
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez watches his pop-up during a minor league rehab start for the Trenton Thunder, against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, in Trenton, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
The Associated Press
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez leads off second base during a minor league rehab start for the Trenton Thunder against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, in Trenton, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
The Associated Press
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez heads to first on a hit during a minor league rehab start for the Trenton Thunder against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, in Trenton, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
The Associated Press
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez answers a question before a minor league rehab start for the Trenton Thunder at Arm & Hammer Park Tuesday, May 24, 2016, in Trenton, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
The Associated Press
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez smiles as he listens to a question before a minor league rehab start for the Trenton Thunder at Arm & Hammer Park Tuesday, May 24, 2016, in Trenton, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
The Associated Press
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez listens to a question before a minor league rehab start for the Trenton Thunder at Arm & Hammer Park Tuesday, May 24, 2016, in Trenton, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
The Associated Press
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, right, watches the baseball game from the dugout during a minor league rehab start for the Trenton Thunder against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, in Trenton, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
The Associated Press