Alex Rodriguez plays his final game as a Yankee when the club welcomes in the Rays at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx Friday for the opener of a three-game weekend series.
New York has won three of its last four contests and enters this series after taking two of three from Boston. Tampa Bay opens the last series of a six-game road trip after dropping two of three to Toronto.
The spotlight will be on Rodriguez on Friday as he plays the final game before the Yankees release him. The former World Series champion is set to be paid the roughly $7 million he'sowed this season and the $17 million the club has to pay him for 2017. He'll be free to sign anywhere else once he's released, but he's expected to serve in an advisory role for he Yankees going forward.
Rodriguez, 41, has struggled mightily this season. Through 64 games, he's hitting just .199 with nine homers and 30 RBIs. In his first full game action since July 30, Rodriguez went 0-for-4 with an RBI against the Red Sox on Thursday.
The slugger will bat third and play designated hitter for the Yankees in his final game.
Rodriguez's former teammate, Derek Jeter, who retired after the 2014 season, heaped praise on Rodriguez ahead of his last game as a Yankee.
"What people don't realize is how much time, effort and work that Alex put in on a daily basis," Jeter said, according to ESPN. "He lives and breathes baseball. I know it will be difficult for him to not be on the field, but I'm sure he will continue to give back to the game. Congrats, Alex."
The Yankees (58-56) trail the Blue Jays (65-50) by 6 1/2 games in the AL East, while the Rays (46-67) enter Friday 15 games back. New York is 3 1/2 back in the AL Wild Card hunt, while Tampa Bay is 15 back.
Game Preview & Live Stream
Matchup: Rays (46-67) at Yankees (58-56)
Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, N.Y.
Watch Online: This game can be live streamed for free here. It can also be live streamed for free here.
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