Alex Rodriguez to skip series in Houston with Yankees approval

Per the New York Daily News, the Yankees have given Alex Rodriguez permission to skip their final three game series against the Houston Astros in order to prepare for his upcoming arbitration hearing. Unless he is not in the lineup for some reason, tonight will mark the final game of A-Rod's already troubled 2013 season. Alex is using the time off to convene with his legal team in preparation to challenge his 211 game suspension which was handed down to him by Major League Baseball due the Biogenesis scandal earlier this year. Arbitration on this is scheduled to begin Monday.

With the Yankees already eliminated from postseason contention after yesterday's loss, these remaining four games have no value other than honoring Mariano Rivera & Andy Pettitte. Factoring that in with A-Rod's recent hitting slump and inability to play third base, the decision to let him skip the final sense makes sense for both sides. Depending on how the hearings go this offseason, tonight could very well be the last time Yankee fans see A-Rod in pinstripes till 2015, if not longer.

We will keep you updated on this story as it develops.

Update:

Maybe not?

Brian Cashman says reports A-Rod not going to Houston are "false. I'm wasting my time talking about it.''

— wallace matthews (@ESPNNYYankees) September 26, 2013

Brian Cashman says a report that Alex Rodriguez is not going to Houston is "not accurate." He said Rodriguez has not asked to skip trip.

— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughSL) September 26, 2013