A-Rod Will Play Two Games In Triple-A Before Returning

From Mike Mazzeo:

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez could be activated as soon as next Thursday, according to ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

Rodriguez will play minor league games in Florida on Friday and Saturday, and will work out in Florida on Sunday.

On Monday, he'll travel to Triple-A Scranton and play at least two games there, on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Olney says the Yankees want Rodriguez to play two full nine-inning games at third base before he's activated. Assuming he gets through his minor league rehab stint without any setbacks, he'd likely be on track to come off the disabled list and rejoin the Yankees on Thursday.

Rodriguez, who has been out since July 8 with a torn meniscus in his right knee that was surgically repaired July 11, is scheduled to serve as the designated hitter at Class A Tampa on Friday night in Florida, and play third base in a game on Saturday.

...

"Will we have him in Kansas City? I don't know," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said before Thursday afternoon's victory over the Los Angeles Angels. "I would think by Minnesota we would have him.

"We'll have to build him up," Girardi said. "I think the most important thing is that he feels comfortable and that he feels that he's moving freely."