Rodriguez 'surprised' to again be out of Yankees lineup

NEW YORK (AP) Yankees star Alex Rodriguez says he is ''surprised'' he is out of the lineup for the second day in a row. Rodriguez was on the bench Monday night

NEW YORK (AP) Yankees star Alex Rodriguez says he is ''surprised'' he is out of the lineup for the second day in a row.

Rodriguez was on the bench Monday night when New York played Texas. Yankees manager Joe Girardi says ''this was not an overnight decision.''

Rodriguez, who turns 41 next month, is batting .223 with eight homers and 26 RBIs in 44 games as a designated hitter.

''Not good, not great,'' Rodriguez admitted.

Rodriguez has hit 695 homers in his 22-season career, including 33 last year.

Girardi said this wasn't a permanent move and that Rodriguez would play Tuesday night against the AL West-leading Rangers.

''We're going to look at things on a daily basis,'' Girardi said.

Carlos Beltran took A-Rod's place as the DH in the series opener and Aaron Hicks started in right field. Girardi says he wants to keep Beltran's big bat in the lineup.

Right-hander Chi Chi Gonzalez started Monday for Texas and Girardi said Rodriguez has struggled against righties. Lefty Cole Hamels was set to pitch Tuesday night.

''You haven't heard the last of me,'' Rodriguez said.