New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi fired back at his critics Wednesday after coming under fire for not starting Alex Rodriguez in the first two games of this week's series in Boston.
"I’m not saying that I don’t think I can win with Alex in the lineup," Girardi told reporters, according to ESPN's Andrew Marchand, after posting Wednesday's Yankees lineup, which omitted the soon-to-be-released Rodriguez for the second straight game. "What I’m saying is that I’m putting out what I feel is the best lineup. As we sit around and talk about it as coaches, that’s my job. That is in my job description. My job description does not entail a farewell tour. My job description is to try and win every game and put everyone in the best possible position and that’s what I’m trying to do."
The Yankees manager also faced scrutiny in 2014 over his reluctance to move the retiring Derek Jeter out of the No. 2 spot in the lineup, despite his declining production at the plate. When asked about his handling of Jeter, Girardi apparently said there was no one else who could bat second on that team.
Girardi's comments come on the heels of him saying earlier in the week that he would be open to playing A-Rod in each of his final four games if the struggling designated hitter wanted to. Instead, he left him out of the lineup for his final Fenway series opener Tuesday and resisted the urge to use Rodriguez as a pinch-hitter in the waning moments of the Yankees' 5-2 loss, despite Red Sox fans chanting, "We want A-Rod."
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Girardi apologized for saying A-Rod could dictate his playing time this week.
"I'm an emotional guy," Girardi said. "My heart can get tugged at. I think I got caught up in the emotions. I'm human. There is a human element to me."
Meanwhile, A-Rod, who said he anticipated playing at least two games against the longtime rival Red Sox this week, expressed his disappointment after Tuesday's game.
"It's surprising and shocking," Rodriguez said. "He has his opinion and I have mine. But as I've said since I came back from my suspension, it's up to Joe, and I'll definitely do what he wants."
A-Rod pinch hit during the seventh Wednesday, and will start in Thursday's finale at Fenway, according to Girardi. He'll also be in the lineup Friday against the Rays in New York, in what is expected to be the final game of his major-league career.
