A-Rod won’t return when eligible Thursday

PHOENIX — The Yankees had voiced optimism that Alex Rodriguez’s strained right hamstring would permit him to return to the lineup when eligible, but a jog across the outfield grass at Chase Field has changed those plans.

Rodriguez took batting practice on the field for a second straight day on Tuesday, but his hamstring is still tight. Manager Joe Girardi said that Rodriguez will not run the bases as originally scheduled on Wednesday, effectively ruling him out to play on Thursday against the Athletics.

“My guess is he’s not going to be ready on Thursday now,” Girardi said after the Yankees’ 5-3 loss to the D-backs. “He’s still got some hurdles to cross to get by and he’s just not by them yet. He really hasn’t had a setback. We were hoping for 15 days; it’s probably going to be a few more than that.”

Asked if he still expects to be activated …

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