Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has been out for more than a month with a broken hand; he was hit by the Mariners’ Felix Hernandez July 24.

Soon, though, he could be back in New York’s lineup. Dan Martin:

Alex Rodriguez is scheduled to DH Friday night for Single-A Tampa as he continues his rehab from a fractured left hand, according to general manager Brian Cashman and the third baseman could rejoin the Yankees next week against the Rays.

“That’s what we’re talking about,” Cashman said. “We always knew he was going to come back. This is just the next step in the process. When he does come back, we want him to be ready, so we’re not going to rush him.”

Rosters can expand Saturday and the minor-league season ends Monday, so A-Rod wouldn’t have any further minor-league game action after that. He’s played just 94 major-league games this year due to various maladies and is having the worst year of his career, perhaps not surprising, as he’s 37.

However, the Yankees, who were 59-39 and eight games ahead in the AL East at the time of his injury, are just 16-16 since. It’s not all A-Rod’s absence, of course, but they will welcome him back when he’s ready.