ARod blending in, gaining comfort

Third baseman key to Yankees' success in Anaheim

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

Alex Rodriguez is very happy to be healthy and playing well with an eye toward the postseason. (AP)

• ARod's two-run homer on Tuesday »

ANAHEIM -- The numbers Alex Rodriguez wields in the heart of the Yankees' lineup have not jumped off the page as demanding consideration in the discussion for the MVP race, but that is part of their appeal.

Rodriguez arrived after missing five weeks this season due to right hip surgery, relieved of the pressure he feels every season to justify his big contract and high profile. The Yankees knew he would be limited in some ways, and were happy to accept whatever he could offer.

It has been more than anticipated. With 27 home runs and 89 RBIs in 115 games, Rodriguez has found himself at the heart of a lineup that is headed for the postseason for his fifth time in six seasons with New York. The clinching this week gave Rodriguez reason to reflect on how far he'd come.

"Just shaking hands with the guys and giving a few hugs takes me back to where I was in February and March, Colorado and Tampa," Rodriguez said. "It just feels good to be part of it and contribute a little bit."

Rodriguez is expected to be in the Yankees' lineup on Friday at Yankee Stadium, as the Bombers welcome in the Red Sox for their final meeting of the regular season. The game will be televised on TBS, with Chip Caray (play-by-play), Buck Martinez (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter) bringing the matchup to living rooms across the country.

The special case of Rodriguez, who had an impingement removed from his right hip labrum and a cyst drained by Dr. Marc Philippon on March 9, has prompted the Yankees to proceed carefully. Rodriguez was not in the starting lineup on Wednesday at Anaheim for prescribed rest, though he was available to pinch-hit.

"I think he's had a great season," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "You look at the numbers he's put up, and he missed five weeks and we've had to sit him down at times. I'm sure at times there's been fatigue because of what he's been through, but I think he's had an outstanding year. For Alex, it's been good baseball. Alex has been able to focus on what he loves to do."

While Rodriguez has estimated that there is an 80 percent chance he will need to go back to Philippon for a followup procedure after the Yankees' season is complete, Rodriguez has shown greater mobility defensively later in the year, an encouraging sign.

In the sixth inning on Tuesday, Rodriguez saved a run with a key diving play to his right, snaring a Vladimir Guerrero rocket down the third-base line at Angel Stadium and firing to first base to leave the bases loaded -- a key run as the Yankees completed a one-run victory and clinched their 14th playoff berth in 15 seasons.

"Philippon said that I was going to get better each and every month," Rodriguez said. "So far, so good, I think. I feel good and hopefully it continues."

With a magic number of five as they depart Anaheim on Wednesday, the Yankees have an opportunity to celebrate winning the division at home this weekend against their fiercest rivals, the Red Sox. Rodriguez said that reaching stage one of the playoff push was encouraging, but he and the Yankees have loftier goals in mind.

"It's always good to get in, but our goal is at the end of the line," Rodriguez said. "We have a long way to go here. We haven't gotten there yet."