TORONTO — Alex Rodriguez is hoping a thin strip of tape will prevent any more pain in his sprained left thumb.
The Yankees third baseman hit in the cage and took batting practice Friday with a strip of athletic tape around the handle of his bat. The tape, about half an inch wide and approximately the same thickness, acted as a pad between Rodriguez’s hands. Batting coach Kevin Long came up with the idea, and Rodriguez said the tape allowed him to hit pain-free.
“Today is a really good day,” Rodriguez said after hitting with two batting practice groups. “I’m really encouraged. It was the best I’ve felt in over a month.”
Rodriguez is expected to play today against Blue Jays right-hander Henderson Alvarez.
• Yankees manager Joe Girardi said backup catcher Francisco Cervelli is still bothered by concussion-like symptoms stemming from a Sept. 8 collision with Baltimore’s Nick Markakis. Cervelli, who is not traveling with the team, saw a neurologist Friday and will undergo more tests next week.Footnotes.
Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard was limited to pinch-hitting duties against the Cardinals because of a left ankle injury.
• Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo is done for the season after aggravating a left rib cage injury.
• Twins catcher Joe Mauer likely will miss the rest of the season after being diagnosed with a mild case of pneumonia.
• Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton, out since May with a bruised elbow, is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery Monday to reduce a spur on his right elbow and remove loose chips.
