While Alex Rodriguez might feel better about having his homecoming interrupted, the Yankees are doing the best thing by resting their slumping slugger in the Marlins series.
Following a tumultuous month at the plate, A-Rod is being benched for two games for what he and the team called "fatigue."
The three-time AL MVP had been set to play his first regular-season games in his hometown of Miami against the Marlins, reserving about 100 tickets for family and friends.
Rodriguez is batting .145 (8 for 55) in June. He’s in an 0-for-15 slump, and is hitting .212 with nine homers and 26 RBIs. He was replaced Friday by Angel Berroa.
Rodriguez missed the start of the season following hip surgery and had played in every game since rejoining the Yankees on May 8 in Baltimore, where he homered on his first pitch.
His return sparked the Bombers. Likewise, his struggles have played a major role in their recent skid.
Face it: As A-Rod goes, the Yankees go.
They don’t need Rodriguez to be great, but they need him to be good enough. His presence commands respect when he’s going pretty well. The Mets elected to pitch around Mark Teixeira last Friday night and would have gotten the final out on A-Rod’s pop up to Luis Castillo had he not dropped the ball. The blunder scored two and gave the Yankees the win.
Without Castillo’s miscue, A-Rod is the goat yet again. Rest will be good for him. Plus, Berroa may provide a spark. He’s not A-Rod, but he can hit a little. He’s got some pop. Sometimes, you have to count on your reserves. It’s a long season. That’s why you have them – and that’s why all 25 guys get a World Series ring. Each one is as important to the next.
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