ARod won't face Phillies Tuesday in exhibition opener

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Alex Rodriguez and the media circus that has followed him during spring training will not be visiting Bright House Field on Tuesday when the Phillies host the New York Yankees.

The Yankees said Monday that Rodriguez will not be making the trip from the team's facility in nearby Tampa. The Yankees said Rodriguez will start Wednesday's game against the Phillies in Tampa.

The 39-year-old third baseman is returning from a 17-month suspension for the use of performance enhancing drugs. It would have been Rodriguez's first game since September 2013. He reported to spring training last Monday, two days before the mandated reporting date.

- Matt Breen