A-Rod homers, plays 7 innings in field

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez hit a long homer, played seven innings in the field and drew a walk off Philadelphia’s J.C. Romero on Monday in his latest extended spring training game.

The Yankees third baseman did not take questions after the game, which was played on the same day a book, “A-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez,” was scheduled for release. As he was leaving, a smiling and upbeat Rodriguez said he “feels good.”

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said it was possible Rodriguez could rejoin the team Friday, when New York starts a trip at Baltimore.

“Is Friday the day? I can’t tell you,” Girardi said in New York. “So much of it just depends on how he feels and when he believes that he’s ready to go. I have not really put a date on it, because I want to see how he bounces back on Wednesday or even tomorrow. You know, if he bounces back on Wednesday, it’s up to him. When he feels that he’s ready, we’re probably going to take him back.”

Girardi said Rodriguez had slid on a pad but not on dirt, but that probably was sufficient for a return. Rodriguez is scheduled to play seven more innings Tuesday, and Girardi does not have to see him play nine before activating A-Rod.

The book, written by Selena Roberts, makes the case that Rodriguez most likely used steroids in high school and may have taken HGH while with the Yankees. The biography paints a portrait of a deeply insecure man trying to cope with being abandoned by his father and obsessed with becoming a superstar.

“I’m looking forward to him getting back and helping us on the field, and my guess is so are all of his teammates and so is the organization,” Girardi said. “As far as caring about the book, I don’t know how, you know, the players feel.”

The three-time AL MVP, coming back from right hip surgery March 9, also ran the bases against Philadelphia minor leaguers. He batted in each of the first seven innings, going 1-for-6 with a walk. In his fourth plate appearance, he drew a walk on a 3-2 pitch off Romero, who had two wins in Philadelphia’s World Series victory over Tampa Bay last year

Romero is pitching for the Phillies extended spring training team while serving a 50-game suspension after testing positive for androstenedione, a substance Mark McGwire used in the 1990s that was later banned by baseball.

In his last at-bat, Rodriguez hit a solo homer to left-center. Two of his three hits in the extended games have been homers. Rodriguez did not have a ball hit to him at third, but received a throw and applied a tag on a stolen base attempt during his final inning.

About 45 people, all supportive of Rodriguez, attended the game. Most of them stood line after he was done and got his autograph.

“I know he’s anxious to get back. I know he’s enjoying his rehab in a sense because he’s getting to do what he loves to do. I mean, he’s been through a lot in his life, so I don’t necessarily think that this is going to affect him.”