The Alex Rodriguez-New York Yankees soap opera was a five-part miniseries Thursday, culminating in A-Rod again declaring he was ready to play now but -- since he is just "an employee" -- that he would accept the Yankees' plan to have him start a rehab assignment Aug. 1. If all goes according to plan with the quad and if he is not suspended by baseball in the interim, A-Rod could return to the Yankees soon after Aug. 1. Rodriguez told WFAN radio in New York on Thursday evening that he chose to do a five-day rehab, which could put him back in the lineup by Aug. 6 against the White Sox. "Obviously, I'm an employee. I have to follow my bosses and I was on the phone with both of my bosses. They said there is a protocol," Rodriguez said on WFAN. While both sides agreed to the plan and said publicly they wanted Rodriguez back on the field, the level of mistrust and animosity continues. Sources told ESPNNewYork.com the Yankees are "likely" to fine Rodriguez because he sought a second opinion without notifying the team in writing in advance. Source: ESPN New York
