Twenty-one years after making his major league debut, Alex Rodriguez is fighting jitters for his 2015 Grapefruit League debut on Wednesday.
“I’ll be a little nervous, for sure,” Rodriguez said on Tuesday, via the New York Post. “I haven’t been in front of our fans for a long time. I’m excited about that. I have some challenges ahead.”
Rodriguez, who turns 40 in July, is coming off the largest suspension in baseball history for using performance-enhancing drugs. He last played against the Rays at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 25, 2013 and went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.
“At-bats are key for me. I haven’t seen live pitching in a long time,” Rodriguez said. “The more at-bats, the better. And I know (manager) Joe (Girardi) talked a little bit about maybe going to the minor leagues and utilizing that, too.”
The Yankees began their exhibition schedule on Tuesday afternoon against the Phillies at Bright House Field in Clearwater. Rodriguez, however, stayed behind to take batting practice and field grounders at third and first. He will start at designated hitter against the Phillies in the Yankees' home opener at Steinbrenner Field the following day.
“Ready to go. Not sure how ready, but I’ll give it a shot,” Rodriguez added, claiming to be “excited” in addition to being nervous.
Girardi previously said that Rodriguez will work out at first base during spring training to measure where he is physically after missing all of last season. Although he’s expected to be the Yankees' primary designated hitter, he will also serve as Chase Headley's backup at third base.