The Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez was benched again for Wednesday's game against the Detroit Tigers along with Curtis Granderson. However, the game never materialized and was postponed to Thursday due to bad weather, with the Yankees trailing 3-0.

A-Rod was put on the bench for the third time in their nine playoff games.

The Associated Press quoted Brian Cashman, the Yankees general manager as saying: "We will go forward. Alex will go forward. That doesn't mean that he's done, that he's finished, that he is not capable.

"He is still a big threat, but for whatever reason right now we are adjusting to what we are seeing."

"It doesn't mean by doing so we're not going to have to deal with legitimate questions. That's all for another day. All we are concentrating on is the here and now and what is best for us today."

A-Rod, meanwhile, is seemingly dejected about having to watch his team struggle from the dugout when he could make a contribution in the field.

He said: "I'm not happy about it. Obviously, you come to the ballpark feeling you can help the team win. When you see your name is not in the lineup, it's obviously disappointing. You've got to accept being a cheerleader and also make sure that you're ready when you're number's called.

"I've played this game for a long time and bottom line is, anytime I'm in any lineup, I think that lineup is better. It has a better chance to win.

"I don't care if it's an All-Star Game. I feel I can bring that type of impact and I'm also at any point ready to break through. I thought my at-bats in some of those games got a little bit better. The last two, I hit two rockets. Anytime I'm in the box the game can change and everyone knows that.

A-Rod's career, however, is far from over with $114 million and five more years left on the third baseman's contract not to mention a no-trade clause.

Cashman said: "You know, the one thing about this game, as we've all appreciated over time, is that you're going to have some good times and you're going to have some tough times.

"But when you're going through the tough times, it doesn't have to be the end-all and be-all. Opportunities will exist to continue to get back off that mat and get back in the ring and battle."