NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez says he was “surprised” when he was held out of the lineup for the second day in a row.
Rodriguez was on the bench Monday night when New York played Texas. Manager Joe Girardi says “this was not an overnight decision.”
Rodriguez, who turns 41 next month, is batting .223 with eight homers and 26 RBI 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.
CUBS: Chicago promoted right-hander Joel Peralta from the minors to help its bullpen for the start of a series at Cincinnati.
The Cubs signed the 40-year-old reliever this month after he was released by Seattle, where he was 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA. Chicago’s bullpen struggled during a 1-6 slump last week.
ANGELS: Third baseman Yunel Escobar has a bone bruise on his left knee, but Manager Mike Scioscia said it doesn’t appear as though he’s headed for a stint on the disabled list. He’s being held out until it heals.
BRAVES: Rookie right-hander John Gant left Monday night’s game against the Cleveland Indians with a left oblique strain.
After giving up a single to Chris Gimenez in the third inning, Gant grabbed his left side near his ribs after throwing a pitch to Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer.
DODGERS: Clayton Kershaw was treated for lower back stiffness Monday, but Manager Dave Roberts said his ace would make his start later this week.
Kershaw gave up four runs in six innings on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Kershaw has been dealing with a back issue for “the last few weeks,” Roberts said.
METS: Pitcher Steven Matz could miss his next start because of elbow discomfort.
The left-hander, who left his start Friday at Atlanta in the fifth inning, underwent an MRI exam Monday in New York. He is scheduled to start Wednesday at Washington.
NATIONALS: Washington is recalling top prospect Lucas Giolito to make his major league debut Tuesday against the New York Mets.
The No. 16 pick in the 2012 amateur draft, Giolito is 5-3 with a 3.17 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 71 innings at Double-A Harrisburg this season.
The 21-year-old right-hander is ranked the No. 1 prospect in the Nationals’ organization by Baseball America.
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