A-Rod Told He Won't Play Field Friday in Final Yankees Game

Rodriguez had asked to return to his old position for the last game

Alex Rodriguez has been turned down in his request to play the field for his final game with the Yankees.

Manager Joe Girardi said A-Rod wouldn't be at third base Friday night at Yankee Stadium against Tampa Bay.

Rodriguez had asked to return to his old position for the last game. He hasn't played the field this season.

"We thought about it but he hasn't done any work," Girardi said before Thursday night's game at Boston. "It's not that I wouldn't like to see it, but we're in a part of the season where we are trying to win. We're still in this and I just felt that the situation hasn't presented itself."

The Yankees plan a pregame ceremony Friday night to recognize Rodriguez. The team announced last weekend that after the game, he will be released and then become an adviser and instructor for the club.

Rain is in the New York forecast Friday night.

Rodriguez batted cleanup as the designated hitter Thursday. He was booed by Red Sox fans when he came to the plate in the second inning and had a soft lineout.

Rodriguez did not play in the series opener Tuesday and was a pinch-hitter Wednesday night.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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