The Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez, who hasn’t played since July 7 and is recovering from surgery on a meniscus tear in his right knee, will begin a rehab assignment Friday night with the Class A Tampa Yankees, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com:
Rodriguez, 36, will play in a 7 p.m. ET Florida State League game in Dunedin, Fla. against an affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that Rodriguez is expected to play third base for Tampa on Saturday in a 6 p.m. ET game, also at Dunedin.
The Yankees hope that A-Rod might be ready to return to their lineup as early as Monday, when they begin a series with the Royals at Kansas City. However, even if he can’t make that Monday date, they are expecting him back for their series with the Twins which begins next Thursday, Aug. 18 in Minneapolis.
A-Rod was hitting .295/.366/.485 with 13 home runs and 52 RBI in 80 games before the injury.