ARod's bat shows signs of life

Yanks third baseman experiencing fatigue from hip surgery

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

ARod hopes he's overcome recent struggles. (AP)

06/25/2009 3:23 AM ET

ATLANTA -- Alex Rodriguez rounded first base as two Yankees runs registered on the scoreboard at Turner Field, clapping his hands. It was a big hit for the team, but equally as important for the slumping slugger.

Rodriguez's sixth-inning single on Wednesday helped him bust out of a 1-for-25 skid at the plate, lifting a weight off his shoulders and delivering a much-needed boost to the New York lineup, which had been limited to 13 runs in its past six games.

"It's been frustrating not being able to get the big hits and hit the ball well consistently," Rodriguez said. "For me, the good news is the last two days, I've felt very good about the way my body has reacted.

"I was telling the guys in here that although the results weren't good [Tuesday], I felt pretty good about my swings. I think there's a lot of good things to come."

As Rodriguez attempts to play with a surgically repaired right hip that could require another procedure at the conclusion of the season, the three-time American League MVP continues to battle the Mendoza Line at .210.

But Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he saw good signs in Rodriguez's 1-for-3, two-walk showing on Wednesday.

"I'm really excited for him, because we know that he's a very productive player in a little funk for the month of June," Girardi said. "We know he's too good to stay in it. He's going to come out of it, and he was really good for us."

In fact, before Tuesday's game, Rodriguez dropped by Girardi's office and declared that it would be his "real" Opening Day. Girardi said that he planned to speak to the Yankees and ARod's doctors before deciding if the slugger would play on Thursday, but he said that he is encouraged by Wednesday's progress.

"I've known that this year was going to be a process, and the good news is the best I've felt is the last two days," Rodriguez said. "They haven't been throwing the ball by me.

"That's a really good sign for me. When they shoot that ball by me ... that's what [hitting coach] Kevin Long really preaches, to stay tight and don't reach. I've been doing a lot of reaching."