ARod to rest one day a week through break

Yanks third baseman experiencing fatigue from hip surgery

By Bobbie Dittmeier / MLB.com

Alex Rodriguez, who did not start on Friday and Saturday due to fatigue six weeks after returning from surgery on his right hip, will get one day of rest each week through next month's All-Star break.

The Yankees will follow a plan created by Dr. Marc Philippon, the surgeon who operated on ARod's hip in March.

"That sounds like a good plan," Rodriguez said on Sunday. "From what I understand, that comes from Vail (Colo.) and Dr. Philippon. We'll follow his instructions and regroup in a month. The idea is that I'll get stronger each month."

Rodriguez started 38 consecutive games after returning to action on May 8. He is batting .153 (9-for-59) with two homers and 11 RBIs in June. He singled in the third inning of Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Marlins to end a 0-for-16 slide. Overall, he is batting .213 with nine homers and 28 RBIs in 40 games.

Manager Joe Girardi said he plans to schedule ARod's off days. He'll get two days off in weeks when the Yankees have an off day. They are off on Monday and are scheduled to open a three-game series at Atlanta on Tuesday.

"We're going to have to give him some time, pick a couple days between now and the All-Star break, then see where we are after the All-Star break," Girardi said. "I think the rest will help him. He's been through a lot -- the physical rehab, playing in games."