A-Rod Powers Up

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez completed the second and final "game" of his rehab stint at the team's Minor League facility (Himes Complex) with what many Yankee fans hope is a dubious omen on his impact once he returns: a grand slam.

Earlier today, in a situation of the bases loaded with two outs, Rodriguez launched a ball off of the high center field fence for a grand salami--now it is time for him to do it in the big leagues.

The three-time American League MVP will be returning to the Yankees' line-up on Tuesday in New York against the Baltimore Orioles.

After straining his right quadriceps against the Orioles on April 28, A-Rod returned after just three games, a desperate move that backfired for the Yanks as he re-aggravated the injury. He has been eligible to return from the 15-day DL since May 15, but the Yankees decided to give him an extra five days to recuperate as they have a scheduled day-off on Monday.

After Sunday morning's simulated game, Rodriguez said it was the best he has felt since before the injury occurred.

"I did as full of a workout as I could do today," Rodriguez said. "I left it all out there. I felt nothing [in my quadriceps], so I'm ready to go."

This is his second Minor League home run in as many "games," as A-Rod made his first rehab start yesterday at the Raymond Naimoli Complex of the Tampa Bay Rays and hit a solo shot. He played five full innings.

The Yankees are 20-23 and in last place in the AL East. They trail Boston by 5.5 and Tampa Bay by 4.5 games respectively. It is important to note that New York has been without their top two power hitters from last year in Rodriguez and catcher Jorge Posada for the majority of the season.