A-Rod dons Yankee pinstripes one last time
With his batting average under .200, the Yankees were releasing him after one final home game that his mother and daughters could see in person.
After sitting on the bench unused for much of the past month, Rodriguez, 41, was in the lineup as the designated hitter and batting third against the Rays, which would be his 2,784th and perhaps final game.
The Yankees honored him in a pregame ceremony — it rained during the event — and distributed accolades from Core Four teammates Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada, plus Robinson Cano and former manager Joe Torre.
Though Rodriguez is a 14-time All-Star and three-time MVP who entered Friday with 696 home runs, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner told him on Aug. 3 the end was at hand.
The Yankees placed right-hander Nathan Eovaldi on the disabled list with an elbow injury. ...
The Astros activated reliever Luke Gregerson, promoted outfielder Teoscar Hernandez from Triple-A Fresno, placed outfielder Preston Tucker on the DL and put reliever Ken Giles on the paternity list.