A-Rod getting into the swing of things

It may not be too much longer until Joe Girardi can pencil in Alex Rodriguez's name on the Yankees lineup card. A-Rod resumed baseball activities today, hitting balls off a tee, swinging in a soft toss session and fielder grounders at third base.

“It feels a lot better than it did in spring training,” Rodriguez said after the 48-minute workout. “Now it’s just a matter of getting into playing shape.”

“The big thing we talked about is really monitoring my work and not to go overboard,” he said. “Limiting my practice swings, limiting my workload between games. Sometimes missing batting practice two, three times a week. As it gets closer to me getting back, those things will be addressed.”

A-Rod is on schedule to return to the Yankees on May 15. No word on him making an appearance at the Yankees series in Tampa Bay this week.