Alex Rodriguez, the soon-to-be-released New York Yankees star who will play his last game in pinstripes Friday in the Bronx, will start at designated hitter and bat fourth Thursday night against the Boston Red Sox in his final contest at Fenway Park.
It's the first start of the series for A-Rod, whose final week with the Yankees has been predictably controversial.
Following his announcement Sunday that this would be the final week of his major-league career - even though he never used the word "retire" - manager Joe Girardi assured the three-time MVP he could play in all four games if he wanted.
As it were, A-Rod's only action of the series came Wednesday night when he flied out as a pinch-hitter during the seventh inning.
"My job description does not entail a farewell tour," Girardi told reporters, according to ESPN's Andrew Marchand, after posting Wednesday's Yankees lineup, which omitted Rodriguez for the second straight game. "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."
Girardi has since apologized for his promise that A-Rod could dictate his playing time, saying he got caught up in the heat of the moment. He also resisted the urge to use Rodriguez as a pinch-hitter in the waning moments of the Yankees' loss on Monday, despite Red Sox fans chanting, "We want A-Rod."
Earlier Thursday, during an appearance on the Michael Kay Show, A-Rod said Girardi denied his request to play third in Friday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. For his part, Rodriguez, who is expected to start at DH in the final game of his 22-year career, said it was "surprising and shocking" to be left out of the lineup for Tuesday's series opener at Fenway Park.
