A-Rod Expected To Return Wednesday

New York, NY (AHN) -- Yankees All-Star Alex Rodriguez will be requiring another MRI before returning from the disable list, according to Yankees manager Joe Girardi.

A-Rod has had some injury problems this year, with a strained quadriceps. He has been practicing off and on, and while he feels like he's in great shape, the Yankees want to have an abundance of caution.

"There's nothing that's happened, but they want to make sure on the MRI that it's healed enough for him to take the next step," Girardi told the New York Daily News. "It's always a little bit different when the intensity has to be turned up, when you have to make the quick break and everything isn't calculated. But it is a good sign what he did today."

Rodriguez is in good spirits, despite the delays in returning to the main line up.

"Being on the DL is probably the best thing that could have happened to me," joked Rodriguez. "Knowing me and knowing my history, I probably would have been out there doing something stupid to screw up the whole season. The DL is a good shelter."

Rodriguez is a three-time AL MVP, and is the second highest paid player in the game, just behind Barry Bonds. While A-Rod has only had 94 at bats this season, his average sits .286, and he has batted 11 RBIs.

He has watched as the Yankees have dropped four out of seven games without him, and he eagerly awaits his illegible return on Wednesday.

"I hate watching this," Rodriguez said. "It's just tough to watch. You know your responsibilities and you just want to be out there and be able to help. Wednesday can't get here quick enough."