New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez Taking Batting Practice

According to Kevin Kernan of the NY Post, Alex Rodriguez’s has been progressing very nicely and he is now moved one step closer to returning by taking batting practice yesterday.

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Rodriguez took batting practice for the first time since undergoing hip surgery on March 9 in Colorado. He took 49 swings and hit three home runs. He lashed multiple line drives and drove a ball off the batter’s eye in deep center. It was quite an impressive showing for his first full batting practice following surgery.

More than an hour after the workout ended Rodriguez came out to sign autographs for fans who waited patiently on the sidewalk. Asked about the batting practice session, A-Rod told The Post, “I feel really, really good.”

The entire workout lasted 62 minutes. Rodriguez also threw for 10 minutes, hit off the tee and did soft toss, and fielded ground balls. Unlike Monday when those balls were hit directly at him, yesterday Rodriguez moved left and right, though he remained on the infield turf. He has yet to field grounders in the cutout portion of the infield. He did appear to walk a bit stiffly and did no running.

Director of player development Pat Roessler pitched to A-Rod and also hit grounders and played catch with him. A-Rod is still knocking off the rust. He twice sailed throws over the head of Roessler, saying one time, “God-dangit, sorry buddy.”

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The Yankees are planning for A-Rod to return around May 16, but if he’s taking BP this early it seems possible that he could return, maybe at least as a DH, even sooner. Of course, if he returned as a DH they would have to be comfortable with him running the bases so maybe I’m counting chickens here.