A-Rod not in Yankees lineup but feels good after early exit

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Alex Rodriguez says he feels good a day after coming out of a game because of stiffness in his left side. Rodriguez wasn't in the lineup

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Alex Rodriguez says he feels good a day after coming out of a game because of stiffness in his left side.

Rodriguez wasn't in the lineup for the New York Yankees for their series opener Monday night at Texas, though manager Joe Girardi said A-Rod had already talked to him about maybe pinch-hitting in the game.

In Sunday's 8-1 home loss to Tampa Bay, Rodriguez drove in New York's run with a fourth-inning double that snapped a 1-of-18 slide. He was pulled for a pinch-hitter in the sixth after he felt something his lower back.

Results of an MRI on his oblique were negative.

The 40-year-old Rodriguez said Monday that it was probably the smart thing to do to be extra careful by coming out of Sunday's game.