Alex Rodriguez on track to return from disabled list next week

Prior to tonight’s game against the Angels, Joe Girardi told Marc Carig of the Newark Star-Ledger that Alex Rodriguez is on track to return from the disabled list when the Yankees are on the road next week.

“I don’t know if Monday is realistic,” Girardi said. “Part of it probably depends on where he starts and how he feels in those next couple of games. But I think next week is realistic.”

Rodriguez has been sidelined since undergoing surgery on July 11 to repair a slightly torn meniscus in his right knee. He ran the bases for the first time today at the Yankees’ spring training complex in Tampa, Florida and also took batting practice. Barring any setbacks, he is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment on either Friday or Saturday.

Rodriguez, 36, is hitting .295/.366/.485 with 13 homers, 52 RBI and an .852 OPS over 344 plate appearances this season. He was homerless over his final 85 at-bats before hitting the disabled list.