Alex Rodriguez didn’t even get an at-bat last night, when the Yankees pinch hit for him in the second inning with Ramiro Pena of all people. After the game, A-Rod said that he left because of his groin, that he injured last week, was stiff. There was no pain, but it was stiff.

Here is more from Chad Jennings :

“It’s hard to describe,” he said. “I’m going to see Dr. Ahmad tomorrow in the morning in New York and see what he thinks.”

Rodriguez said he feels no pain, only a nagging stiffness. He’s felt it the past few days, but it’s always gone away after he’s warmed up. Before today’s game, he told Ramiro Pena to be ready, and when Adam Jones singled through the left side of the infield in the first inning, Rodriguez knew he was done.

“Not only do I make the play, it’s a routine play,” he said. “It’s a play that you make 10 out of 10 times. I just locked up. At that point, I pointed at Nino.”

Rodriguez wouldn’t speculate on whether the problem is related to last year’s hip surgery, but it is on the same side. He said he’s still hoping to play tomorrow.

This sounds like it could be nothing, or it could be something really bad. Expect Kevin Russo to start at third base over the next couple of days. Even if nothing is seriously wrong with A-Rod, manager Joe Girardi is sure to be cautious because without A-Rod , there is a gaping hole in the lineup. He said he hopes to play tomorrow, but I find that hard to believe.

If A-Rod misses significant time, the Yankees might not have to make a trade to fill his spot at third base. Obviously it would still be an enormous drop-off, but third base prospect Brandon Laird is doing well this year hitting .310 with a .891 OPS. That would probably take something drastic. Most likely it’ll be Russo handling third base if A-Rod misses any games.

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