Alex Rodriguez will play his final MLB game on Friday.
Rodriguez will be unconditionally released following the Yankees’ game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium, the team announced Sunday ahead of a press conference.
Rodriguez will take on a role as a special advisor and instructor with the Yankees through Dec. 31, 2017.
DataA-Rod's career home runs
“After spending several days discussing this plan with Alex, I am pleased that he will remain a part of our organization moving forward and transition into a role in which I know he can flourish,” Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said in a statement. “We have an exciting group of talented young players at every level of our system. Our job as an organization is to utilize every resource possible to allow them to reach their potential, and I expect Alex to directly contribute to their growth and success. Baseball runs through his blood. He’s a tireless worker and an astute student of the game. Alex has already proven to be a willing and effective mentor to many players who have come through our clubhouse, and I am confident that this next phase of his baseball life will bring out the best in Alex and the next generation of Yankees.”
Rodriguez, 41, has seen his playing time diminish greatly in 2015. He entered play on Aug. 3 batting .204 with a .252 on-base percentage, .609 OPS, nine home runs and 28 RBIs. He was benched as the team’s primary designated hitter in late June and had no defined role with the club, and after the Yankees sold off their top assets at the trade deadline it became apparent that the team wanted to give more at-bats to younger players.
The three-time AL MVP is due roughly $7 million for the remainder of this season, along with $21 million in 2017.
A-Rod had said before an Aug. 2 Subway Series game that he would be “at peace” if the Yankees released him.
“I’m fine with everything,” Rodriguez said. “Of course, I would love to play. I love to play. That’s what I do, right? But I haven’t been very good. That’s on me.”
Rodriguez is four home runs shy of 700 for his career. He came back from a 162-game suspension for PEDs in 2015 and hit 33 home runs with 86 RBIS as the team’s DH. He has a career .295 average, .380 OBP and .930 OPS in 22 seasons.
..... - Newsday