New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez attends a news conference in his gym in Cancun January 16, 2014. Rodriguez is in Cancun to promote his gym and to visit the Children's Rehabilitation Center Teleton (CRIT)
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez attends a news conference in his gym in Cancun January 16, 2014. Rodriguez is in Cancun to promote his gym and to visit the Children's Rehabilitation Center Teleton (CRIT) REUTERS

Normally, a team would be happy to see an enthusiastic player report to camp early. This is not the case with the New York Yankees and its player Alex Rodriguez. The Yankees organization is reportedly upset that Rodriguez did not notify the team that he will be present on the first day of training camp.

The club expected their ward to join the team later contrary to the surprise appearance he made on Monday at the team’s facility in Tampa Bay. They expected “A-Rod” to report this Wednesday when position players are usually are scheduled to come. Still, day 2 of the Rodriguez show went on as the controversial slugger again addressed a handful of reporters present in the parking lot of Steinbrenner Field.

This time around, the 39-year-old third baseman left his future devoid of performance enhancing drugs, or PEDs, to time’s natural course. After being more than a year being sidelined after serving a year-long suspension for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal and admitting to using PEDs, Rodriguez expects that his return will not be smooth sailing. He added that it will take him a minimum of three weeks to gauge if he still has what it takes to compete in the majors.

"It's slow," Rodriguez told reporters on his return to form. "It's my second day in. It's just nice to be back in uniform -- or semi-uniform -- and be back around the guys."

If day 2 of training camp was any indication of Rodriguez' progress, things are looking optimistic. He hit a few home runs showing the form that puts him just 6 runs behind the all-time record set by Willie Mays. He also bonded with newly re-signed third baseman Chase Headley, the guy being groomed by the team to take over his spot, when the pair played some spot catching and hitting.

Nevertheless, the 14-time All-Star relayed that he is not about to totally give up on losing the third baseman spot to the defensive oriented Headley. Rodriguez added that he is coming into training camp with the goal of winning the spot, a competitive mindset that he has ingrained in him since he took up the sport.

For concerns on this story, contact the author at v.hidalgo@ibtimes.com.au.

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