Yankees won’t have Alex Rodriguez play defense

Barring emergencies, Alex Rodriguez will not play third base or first again this season.

New York Yankees Manager Joe Girardi said Wednesday he prefers using Rodriguez solely as a designated hitter going forward.

“I think it helps from the energy standpoint,” Girardi said. “His legs — not getting beat up, not having to drive for balls. In my mind we’ll play him a lot more if we DH him. If we have to adjust it, we’ll adjust it.”

Rodriguez turns 40 in July and has had surgery on both hips. He has played the past week with soreness in his left hamstring.

Rodriguez has started two games at third and one at first base. “I’m totally on board with whatever Joe wants,” he said. “I’ve said that since Day 1.”

Orioles to reimburse employees

The Baltimore Orioles will reimburse hourly employees at Camden Yards who lost wages during the week of April 27 after riots broke out in Baltimore following the funeral of Freddie Gray.

The Orioles postponed two games against the Chicago White Sox because of the unrest, and those games will be made up as part of a doubleheader May 28. The series finale against Chicago was played at Camden Yards in what is believed to be the first Major League Baseball game played in front of no fans.

A three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays from May 1-3 was relocated from Camden Yards to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Etc.

Rays left-hander Drew Smyly will miss the rest of the season because of a shoulder injury. ... Houston Astros outfielder George Springer was activated from the concussion disabled list. ... The Texas Rangers activated first baseman Mitch Moreland from the disabled list following his recovery from left elbow surgery. ... Adriana Aviles, the 4-year-old daughter of Indians infielder Mike Aviles, is being treated for leukemia at the Cleveland Clinic. The team said Aviles was placed on the family emergency medical leave list on Friday.