The dust is starting to settle on the Alex Rodriguez suspension after the New York Yankees third baseman was suspended for the 2014 season after his involvement in the Biogenesis anti-aging clinic. As the Yankees work to move forward, players are starting to speak out. The captain, Derek Jeter, admits that he is saddened by the whole ordeal.
While speaking at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for a charity event, Jeter said that he has been in contract with Rodriguez since the suspension was handed down. He would not directly comment on the possible of Rodriguez re-joining the team next month, simply saying he was upset over the mess of the whole thing.
"As a teammate, you're saddened by the whole thing," Jeter said, via the New York Post. "The whole thing has been kind of messy. I mean, he's human. I'm sure it's a rough situation."
Jeter and Rodriguez have always had a testy relationship since becoming teammates in 2004. Jeter said he was always there to offer support and showed his sympathy for the veteran.
Meanwhile, Jeter is more concerned about re-joining the Yankees himself after an injury-plagued 2013 season. He told reporters that will likely start baseball activities in Tampa on Monday after just playing 17 games in 2013 when he was never able to fully recover from a broken left ankle. He re-signed a one-year, $12 million contract with New York in the offseason and vows to remain focused on baseball and not his future.
Jeter praised the offseason moves made by the team so far this season. The Yankees have signed marquee free agents like Brian McCann, Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran while also being in play for Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka.
"We've made some great additions. You never know what else we're gonna do, if we're gonna do anything," Jeter said. "I've told you guys for years, until you get to spring training, you never know what the changes are going to be. I like what I see so far."
The Yankees are currently toying with replacements for Rodriguez during his suspension. The third baseman is suing the MLB to try and get his suspension overturned. He did have his sentence shortened from 211 games to 162 games.
