ARod could take live BP on Tuesday

Slugger may play in Minors games this week; Wang throws

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez increased the intensity of his workout and could take live batting practice for the first time on Tuesday.

"[It] feels good," Rodriguez told The Associated Press. "I'm taking it one day at a time."

Rodriguez, who had surgery on his right hip on March 9, might start playing in Minor League games later this week, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said in Detroit. The Yankees expect him to rejoin the team by May 15.

"The days are ticking off the calendar," Girardi said.

Girardi said that Rodriguez would likely play in extended Spring Training games where he could be used as a designated hitter and get eight or nine at-bats a game. Rodriguez will probably not play rehab games at the higher levels of the Yankees' Minor League chain, such as at Double-A Trenton or Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, since remaining in Florida figures to offer chances for better weather.

Rodriguez ran the bases for the third time in five days on Monday and also added situational drills when taking ground balls at third. He hit 13 homers on 89 swings in batting practice

The AP also reported that pitcher Chien-Ming Wang threw in the outfield Monday during his rehabilitation.

Wang, who was 0-3 with a 34.50 ERA prior to going on the disabled list, threw in the outfield for 10 minutes and ran sprints as part of a rehab program. He was placed on the 15-day DL on Saturday with weakness in his hips. He is scheduled for a bullpen session Tuesday.

"He's doing great," Yankees vice president Billy Connors told The AP. "There is no discomfort. We did some drills that will help bring his velocity back to where it's got to be."