A-Rod is hit by pitch in right calf and sidelined

Editor’s note: Wednesday’s
Indians-White Sox game was not completed in time for this edition.

TORONTO (AP) — On the first day of his chase to overtake Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez limped around the clubhouse, an ice pack on his leg.

A-Rod was hit on his right calf by a pitch from Toronto’s Josh Towers on Tuesday night, and wasn’t in the starting lineup for only the second time this season.

Yankees manager Joe Torre said before Wednesday night’s game that he didn’t expect Rodriguez to miss significant time, adding that Toronto’s artificial turf played into the decision to hold A-Rod out.

“It doesn’t seem to be anything the trainers are concerned about,” Torre said.

Torre and Roger Clemens were ejected after Clemens hit Alex Rios in the middle of the back in the seventh. Several Blue Jays were angry at Rodriguez after he distracted Howie Clark on a key pop-up late in a game on May 30, yelling at the infielder as A-Rod approached third base. Toronto’s Jesse Litsch threw behind Rodriguez’s legs in A-Rod’s first at-bat in Monday’s series opener.

Rodriguez didn’t take batting practice Wednesday and didn’t speak with reporters. Wilson Betemit started at third base.

Bonds breaks record

Bonds hit his 756th homer Tuesday night, breaking Hank Aaron’s record. A-Rod hit his 500th home run Saturday, eight days after his 32nd birthday, and became the youngest player to reach the milestone.

“If he stays healthy, I’m sure he’ll have a crack at hitting 800 home runs,” Yankees captain Derek Jeter said.

Rodriguez will have to endure even more pressure than he already does.

“The biggest question for me with Alex is if he’s going to be able to stay as passionate about the game for that long, knowing how much scrutiny he’s under all the time,” Torre said. “At this point in time, I’d say he’ll play for another 10 years. But you never know over the years how much that wears on you. ”