New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez was medically cleared to start playing in minor-league rehab games beginning July 1, according to the New York Daily News.
General manager Brian Cashman said Rodriguez will start the rehab assignment in Tampa, Fla., but did not confirm the exact date.
“It sounds like it’s on schedule,” Cashman said. “He’s been running, throwing, fielding, and I know it’s approaching. It’s coming.”
Rodriguez will likely get 50-75 at-bats or 20 games among assignments in Tampa, Class AA Trenton and Class AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre. If all goes to plan, Rodriguez will return to the Yankees shortly after the All-Star Break.
Rodriguez, 37, is recovering from offseason left hip surgery.
Cashman also said the Yankees are waiting for MLB’s investigation into Rodriguez and his ties to Florida anti-aging clinic Biogenesis.
“We 110 percent support the commissioner’s efforts,” Cashman said. “Their efforts are our efforts. Anyone guilty of cheating the game needs to go down, whether they’re a Yankee or not a Yankee.”
Rodriguez has been rehabbing at the team’s spring training facility in Tampa for the past several weeks.