Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees: Series Preview for Early April Battle

Player to Watch – NYY

Apr 12, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) hits a three run double in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Rodriguez

Don’t look now, but Rodriguez spent the first week of the season as the Yankees best player. He leads the team in hitting and RBI’s after six games, and it looks like the year off might have done more good than bad.

What the Yankees must figure out with Rodriguez is where he slots into the defensive alignment on days he does field. The Yankees are an older team, and they don’t have the luxury of burying him in the dugout as the everyday DH, guys like Mark Teixeira and Carlos Beltran are probably going to be slotted in the DH spot once a week.

Rodriguez’s first foray into the field this year saw him get the start at first base on Saturday, and he dropped a catchable ball from Didi Gregorious early in the game, immediately forcing the Yankees to question his ability to play first, though he did convert on the rest of his 17 chances.

Rodriguez had never played first base in his career before Saturday.