Rangers’ Beltran talks injury, Yankees and A-Rod’s retirement
Texas Rangers outfielder Carlos Beltran was relegated to pinch-hitting Sunday after bruising his left quadriceps while sliding into home plate the night before. He lined out to center with the bases loaded to end the 10th inning.
“It didn’t really go away,” Beltran said of the injury, which caused a sensation of weakness in the muscle. “I feel a little sore, so the smart thing is to take a day and see where I stand tomorrow.”
Beltran, who played in the first five games since he was traded from the Yankees on Aug. 1, hoped to be available Monday night in Colorado.
“If I feel good, I’ll let the manager know,” he said. “My job is to try to be available.”
Manager Jeff Banister said he’ll probably have Beltran play the field in one of the two games in Colorado.
“Not concern, but cautious,” Banister said of the injury. “Still feels a little bruise in there. Day game after a night game, and we need him much longer than just today. Give him a day down, get him some treatment and move on.”
Beltran on A-Rod
Beltran reflected on his time with former Yankees teammate Alex Rodriguez, who announced Sunday morning that Friday’s game against Tampa Bay will be his final one in pinstripes.
The team announced that Rodriguez will be unconditionally released and sign a contract to serve as a special adviser and instructor with the Yankees through 2017.
The announcement came just days after Mark Teixeira said that he will retire at the end of this season. Both players are former Rangers.
He was a great teammate. Passionate about the game of baseball, passionate about winning.
Carlos Beltran on Alex Rodriguez
“Tex had enough; he’s been dealing with a lot of injuries this year,” Beltran said. “Alex wasn’t really playing much. They just felt like it was time.”
Beltran called Rodriguez, who played 22 seasons, a great teammate.
“He knows a lot about the game. He has a lot of knowledge. He will be helpful to the Yankees and the younger guys there,” Beltran said. “Honestly, I’ve heard so many things about him, but I can speak from experience and my experience with him was great. He was a great teammate. Passionate about the game of baseball, passionate about winning.”
Beltran said Rodriguez’s work ethic made him a great partner.
“He acted like a leader there. I know throughout his career he made some mistakes that cost him a lot, but he was able to get back and turn the page and move on,” he said. “The fact that he was able to do that required a person with a strong mindset.”
Debt to A-Rod
The Rangers still owe Rodriguez a little more than $40 million in deferred payments from his original contract with the club. The debt was about $26 million when the team changed ownership after bankruptcy in 2010.
The cash owed to Rodriguez was put into a separate investment account and is not part of the Rangers’ current operating budget, according to a major league source. Accrued interest has ballooned the original figure by more than $14 million the past six years. Interest will continue to grow until it’s paid off.
The Yankees also owe Rodriguez about $27 million through 2017.
Stefan Stevenson: 817-390-7760, @StevensonFWST
This story was originally published August 7, 2016 at 2:12 PM with the headline "Rangers’ Beltran talks injury, Yankees and A-Rod’s retirement."