Report: A-Rod Could Return in Mid-September

From George King:

Alex Rodriguez went through conditioning drills, swung a bat with one hand and threw across the infield yesterday.

Rodriguez is on the disabled list with a fractured left hand and weeks away from being ready to come off the shelf.

“He is doing conditioning and throwing and doing everything he can to stay in shape,’’ manager Joe Girardi said yesterday. “When it comes time to swing a bat, it shouldn’t be long.’’

Rodriguez could return in mid-September.

Though the Yankees miss Rodriguez’ right-handed presence in the middle of the lineup, Eric Chavez and Jayson Nix were hitting a combined .385 (10-for-26) with three homers and seven RBIs as starters in the nine games Rodriguez has missed.