Future with Yanks uncertain, A-Rod ‘at peace’

NEW YORK — For much of his life, all Alex Rodriguez has known is baseball. He made his Major League debut as a teenager, and 22 years into his career is on the doorstep of hitting his 700th career home run, a feat accomplished by three players.

But 2016 has been different. Rodriguez is no longer an everyday player, having been demoted from designated hitter to pinch-hitter amid prolonged struggles at the plate. He hit his last home run — the 696th of his career — July 18, and has had only 18 at-bats since. Recently, some reports have suggested the Yankees are considering releasing Rodriguez, something the 41-year-old insists he’d be “at peace” with.

“I’m one of the luckiest human beings on the planet,” said Rodriguez, a 14-time All-Star and three-time AL MVP. “I respect everything [general manager Brian] Cashman’s doing. I trust [managing general partner] Hal Steinbrenner’s plan. I forever will be a Yankees fan. I hope I can contribute here.”

Rodriguez entered Tuesday hitting .205, and his most recent homer was one of two extra-base hits he recorded in July.

Manager Joe Girardi said he is still looking for opportunities to …

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