Alex Rodriguez’s spring training locker has been kept open by the New York Yankees.
Suspended for the season for violations of baseball’s drug agreement and labor contract, Rodriguez had used the stall just to the side of the back entrance of the clubhouse at Steinbrenner Field. There was no nameplate on it Friday and no uniforms hanging inside. Carlos Beltran was assigned the adjacent locker.
Rodriguez is eligible to return next year, when he turns 40, and has three seasons remaining on his record $275 million, 10-year contract.
Masahiro Tanaka, the Japanese pitcher signed to a $155 million, seven-year deal, was given the locker used by Mariano Rivera, who retired after last season. Speaking through a translator, Tanaka said he was informed of that by a Yankees staff member.
“I’m not really sure if I should be here,” he said of the stall.
Reliever Shawn Kelley was given the locker of retired pitcher Andy Pettitte.
It didn’t take long for the Yankees to reassign Robinson Cano’s No. 24, giving it to Scott Sizemore. He is at spring training on a minor league contract.