Alex Rodriguez spoke with the media on Friday, and this time he didn't drive away.
Rodriguez, who raced away from the media in his car following a simulated game Thursday because he didn't want to talk in front of cameras, was candid, saying he's eying a Monday return. He also criticized Major League Baseball for the process he's going through, and even eluded to the fact that the Yankees may be keeping him out of the lineup on purpose.
Rodriguez said that he and the Yankees agreed on a tentative plan for him to return, though he then referenced that he'll believe a comeback when he sees it. A-Rod, 38, went 1-for-2 in a rehab game for Double-A Trenton Friday, blasting a home run. Rodriguez is making his way back from a Grade 1 strain in his quad after spending the whole season on the disabled list following hip surgery in January.
A-Rod plans to play Trenton again on Saturday and do a light workout Sunday before rejoining the Yankees in Chicago for their road trip against the White Sox. Monday, the day he eyes a return, may possibly be the day that the MLB hands out suspensions to those connected with a Biogenesis clinic in Miami that sold performance enhancing drugs to players. Rodriguez is the focal point of the investigation and it is expected that he may be suspended through the entire 2014 season, or banned from the sport for life.
A-Rod has yet to play this season, and is being investigated by the MLB for his relationship with the clinic, attempting to obstruct the MLB's investigation, not being truthful with the MLB, and possibly his role in recruiting players for the clinic.
Rodriguez, who admitted to doing steroids between 2001-03 but never since, is one of possibly eight others that may hear their fate on Monday. Most of the players are expected to receive a 50-game ban, while Rodriguez seems as though he'll get a much harsher term., but he is expected to fight any punishment.
A-Rod accused the Yankees publicly of keeping him sidelined purposefully because while he's on the disabled list, New York is reimbursed for his salary through insurance.
"I think that's the pink elephant in the room," Rodriguez said according to ESPN. "I think we all agree that we want to get rid of PEDs. That's a must. I think all the players feel that way. But when all the stuff is going on in the background and people are finding creative ways to cancel your contract, I think that's concerning for me. It's concerning for present [players] and it should be concerning for future players as well. There is a process. I'm excited about the way I feel tonight and I'm going to keep fighting."
Rodriguez spoke of "other parties" that would benefit if he was forced to retire.
"I will say this: There is more than one party that benefits from me not ever stepping back on the field. That's not my teammates and that's not the Yankee fans," Rodriguez said to ESPN.
Whether or not he returns remains to be seen, but the three-time MVP is adamant that he's not going down without a fight.
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