Alex Rodriguez Reinstated As 2014 MLB Season Ends

The New York Yankees reinstated third baseman Alex Rodriguez as his 162-game suspension ended on Oct. 29.

The New York Yankees have reinstated third baseman Alex Rodriguez.

Rodriguez re-joined the Yankees’ active roster after his suspension ended on Oct. 29, per ESPN New York’s Andrew Marchand:

“Alex Rodriguez’s one-year suspension officially ended Wednesday when San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval caught the final out of the 2014 World Series, meaning Rodriguez is off baseball‘s restricted list and reinstated to the Yankees’ 40-man roster.

“Rodriguez missed the entire 2014 season after being suspended following MLB’s investigation into the Biogenesis case. Rodriguez has not spoken with the media and his public appeaances have been limited to random football and baseball games. 

“Two weekends ago, he attended the Dallas Cowboys-New York Giants game at Cowboys Stadium and nearly made some news as quarterback Tony Romo almost ran him over on the way to the field. 

“Rodriguez, 39, has no formal plans yet to speak with the media, his spokesman said Thursday morning.

“The Yankees and Rodriguez both appear as if they are trying to be conciliatory after the rancor of his suspension. Rodriguez has three years and $61 million remaining on his contract. As part of the deal negotiated after the 2007 season, Rodriguez can earn an additional $6 million by hitting just six more home runs and tying Willie Mays for fourth on the all-time list with 660.

“Manager Joe Girardi and general manager Brian Cashman have both said they are unsure what to expect from Rodriguez on the field. Rodriguez /4/have a chance to retain his starting third base spot, but that will rest largely on what the Yankees do this offseason and if Rodriguez is fit enough.

“Rodriguez has played in only 44 games over the past two years, and has had surgery on both of his hips. Girardi has talked with Rodriguez about trying to play first base, where Rodriguez could serve as a backup and insurance for Mark Teixiera. Rodriguez would also DH if he is on the team.

“Despite the bad blood from the lengthy and heated appeals process, the Yankees have given no indications they will release Rodriguez. If they did so, the would owe him his entire salary. Yankees officials have said that if Rodriguez can play, they will take him back for 2015.” 

He’s baaaaack. The #Yankees reinstated A-Rod as season-long suspension ends. http://t.co/JpUSp0JTaF pic.twitter.com/83h54My00h— FOX Sports Live (@FOXSportsLive) October 30, 2014

The New York Daily News’ Christian Red adds more on Rodriguez’s reinstatement as well as his alleged involvment in the controversial Biogenesis scandal:

“A federal investigation into Biogenesis founder Anthony Bosch Anthony Bosch and the now-shuttered Miami anti-aging clinic, which was a source for performance-enhancing drugs, has already produced seven indictments, including ones for Bosch, Rodriguez’s cousin, Yuri Sucart and an A-Rod associate, Jorge Velasquez. Sources familiar with the federal case have told the Daily News more indictments are coming. 

“Despite the feds’ focus on distributors and suppliers, one source said that Rodriguez ‘was not just an end user.’ Sucart’s attorney, Edward O’ Donnell, has told The News that he does not think Rodriguez is a target in the probe. Sucart has pleaded not guilty in the case. 

“Everyone from Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner to GM Brian Cashman to Joe Girardi has said that Rodriguez is the scheduled starting third baseman if he proves healthy in spring training and demonstrates that he has the elite skills to play the hot corner. Girardi has also discussed Rodriguez possibly playing first base, according to Cashman. 

“A-Rod has two surgically repaired hips, turns 40 in July and hasn’t played organized baseball in a year. He’s owed $61 million by the Yankees for the three years left on his deal. 

“Even Yankee pitcher CC Sabathia, himself coming off a mostly lost 2014 season, said recently that he thinks Rodriguez ‘can come in and contribute’ next year. 

“‘Obviously he’s not going to be the A-Rod of winning MVPs…He’s had a year off, obviously, but he’s been working and hopefully had some time to get healthy,’ Sabathia said at a recent book signing.

“Ron Berkowitz, Rodriguez’s spokesman, did not return a call for comment. A person who is close to the steriod-tainted player, however, said Rodriguez is ‘very happy,’ and ‘looking forward to coming back.'” 

Rodriguez has amassed 2,939 hits, 654 home runs and 1,969 RBIs on a career .299 batting average in 2,568 games for the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and New York Yankees, per ESPN stats.