A-Rod takes rehab to Triple-A, could rejoin Yankees Monday

Alex Rodriguez is going to join Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday, likely the final stop in his rehabilitation from left hip surgery before he returns to the New York Yankees as early as Monday.

Rodriguez is 5 for 28 with six strikeouts in his rehab that began July 2 with Class-A Charleston. He hit his first homer on Monday for Double-A Trenton.

A-Rod's 20-day rehab limit ends Sunday and he told a New York radio station Wednesday he expects to be in the Yankees lineup Monday at Texas.

Yankees general manager told ESPN New York that Rodriguez could be activated Monday or Tuesday, after a day off. If the team decides the third baseman is not ready for major league games he has to go back on the disabled list.

Rodriguez hasn't played for the Yankees since a dreadful post-season. He had surgery in January.