Alex Rodriguez reported to spring training Monday for the New York Yankees, seeking to get his career back on track after being suspended in 2014.
Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports was on the scene in Tampa, Florida, to record some key details:
Following his session, Rodriguez spoke to the media, telling them that he was clean from PEDs, via Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Rodriguez also spoke about what he’s been through since the Biogenesis scandal, via Jon Heyman of CBS Sports:
Rodriguez, 39, is evidently taking his MLB return seriously, because he’s shown up three days early to Yankees camp. Entering his 21st big league season, Rodriguez has a lot to prove following a few underwhelming seasons that preceded his lengthy suspension.
That doesn’t just apply to his production on the field. He penned a handwritten apology for his MLB ban, per The Boston Globe:
Rodriguez’s gesture to show up ahead of schedule for spring training ought to help his bid to win back fans in the Bronx.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post weighed in on the workout and his comments:
The Yankees need all the help they can get, and they can likely count on Rodriguez as nothing more than a designated hitter at this advanced stage of his career. New York ranked 23rd in on-base percentage and 20th in batting average and runs scored in 2014, so any aid Rodriguez can provide this year will be a bonus.
Purportedly keen on breaking Barry Bonds’ all-time home run record, Rodriguez’s long journey began Monday.
It will be interesting to see what happens from here and how Rodriguez ends his playing days, which have been trending in the wrong direction as of late, despite all he has previously achieved.
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