Major League Baseball

A-Rod pulled for pinch-hitter after 1 at-bat

Published Aug. 20, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Alex Rodriguez's return to the New York Yankees' lineup Tuesday night lasted one at-bat.

"I'm just trying to play and do the best I can," Rodriguez told The New York Post. "That's obviously not my decision but we'll wait and see how we wake up and see the medical doctors and go from there."

The Yankees slugger grounded out to third base as the designated hitter leading off the second inning in a 6-0 loss to the Seattle Mariners. He did not return because he said he felt a pull in the calf.

''I just felt something on the swing,'' Rodriguez said. ''Same thing. I wouldn't say it's any worse.''

Austin Kearns pinch-hit for Rodriguez in the fourth.

Rodriguez was injured Monday night during an at-bat in the fourth inning against Detroit. Just two days earlier he hit three home runs against Kansas City.

"I talked to Alex," manager Joe Girardi said. "I talked to our trainers. I talked to our doctors and everyone felt he was ready to go. You know, hindsight's always 20/20, but they felt he was ready to go. It's not like I said, 'Al, I need you play tonight' and begged him. Everyone thought he was ready to go and that's why we put him in there."