Padres, Hoffman honor Mariano in ceremony

By Corey Brock / MLB.com | 8/3/2013 12:08 A.M. ET

SAN DIEGO -- There was no way Padres manager Bud Black was going to miss the pregame ceremony at Petco Park on Friday night as the organization paid tribute to Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, who is retiring at the end of the season.

"I've got a good seat," Black joked before the game, noting he planned on being in front of the Padres' dugout for the ceremony.

"Two of the greats? I'm in," Black said.

It turns out he wasn't the only one who wasn't going to miss the first -- and last -- visit to Petco Park by Rivera, baseball's all-time saves leader (642).

Aside from a sold-out crowd at Petco Park for the first of three games between these teams, former San Diego closer Trevor Hoffman was on hand as well.

Hoffman, of course, held baseball's record for career saves (601) before Rivera passed him.

"It wasn't even something we needed to discuss," Hoffman said. "It was more like, 'When are we going to do it.'"

The Padres presented Rivera with a custom beach cruiser -- with four others for his family as well -- in a brief ceremony. Hoffman and Rivera met at home plate and hugged before the bike was wheeled out.

The two hugged again before Rivera headed to his dugout and Hoffman -- who had 552 of his 601 saves in 18 seasons with the Padres -- headed to the home clubhouse.

"It's a unique fraternity. You never want to see a closer blow a save," Hoffman said. "You follow other guys in the game. Mariano has been a guy that's been easy to like. He's been respectful, done things quietly and been humble with his success.

"It's easy to root for a guy like that."

By now, Yankees manager Joe Girardi is used to that certain coolness and calmness that surrounds his closer. He assumes Hoffman was the very same way.

"In watching Trevor, [it was] consistency, No. 1, and having a great out pitch," Girardi said. "His was his changeup, Mo's is his cutter. But not knowing Trevor at all, my guess is he's probably pretty good at turning the page.

"If you blow a save, move on, make sure it doesn't carry over to the next day. And I think to be a great closer, you have to have that ability."

While this is Rivera's first trip to Petco Park, he has a history with the Padres.

Rivera had saves in three World Series games 1998, including Game Nos. 3 and 4 at Qualcomm Stadium, in the Yanks' sweep.

Former Padres pitcher Andy Ashby, part of the broadcast team Friday for Fox Sports San Diego, made a start in Game 2 of the World Series. He remembers Rivera's dominance during the Series and he has marveled at his career from afar.

"For me, the most impressive thing is how consistent he's been year after year. To be that consistent, and how he's handled everything, is amazing," Ashby said. "And him and Trevor, you're talking about the two best closers in baseball, ever."

Rivera has only faced the Padres four times during the regular season -- once in 2004 and then in three consecutive games during a series in 2008 at the old Yankee Stadium. He earned saves in three of those four games.

While San Diego third baseman Chase Headley made his Major League debut in 2007, he was promoted for good in '08, right before that series in New York. He struck out in his only plate appearance facing Rivera.

"It's not very often you see someone come through here with the most of anything," Headley said. "It's a pretty rare opportunity. I had the opportunity to play with Trevor and now to see the guy that's the best ever ... it's great."

Corey Brock is a reporter for MLB.com. Keep track of @FollowThePadres on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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CC's struggles continue in loss to Padres

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Yanks monitoring Jeter, but captain says he's fine

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com | 8/3/2013 3:01 A.M. ET

SAN DIEGO -- Every step Derek Jeter takes is watched closely from the Yankees' dugout, so it is not surprising that he was pulled aside for check-ins on his physical condition during Friday's 7-2 loss to the Padres.

"As we've talked about, he's coming back from a leg injury and I'm not so sure it's 100 percent," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He's trying to grind through it for us."

Jeter has been told not to run full speed on ground balls to protect his right quadriceps, which he strained last month, and Girardi has offered only lukewarm assessments of Jeter's physical condition this week.

"I'm all right," Jeter said. "Like I've told you, if I play, you don't hear anything about it. I played, so I'm good."

The captain went 1-for-4 on Friday, sliding uncomfortably into third base after running from first base on Robinson Cano's first-inning single.

"It didn't look too good," Jeter said. "I was going to stand up and I decided to slide. I tried to slow down and it didn't look too good. I thought it would probably be easier just to try to slide as opposed to break it down, so I was confused."

He also got his feet tangled on a seventh-inning defensive play, prompting Girardi to check on the 39-year-old. Girardi surely was not surprised by the response he received.

"I was just making sure he was OK," Girardi said. "He said, 'Yeah, I'm fine.'"

Girardi has strongly hinted that he plans to rest Jeter for one of the games against the Padres, but he has not announced whether it will be on Saturday or Sunday. Jeter is 3-for-15 (.200) with a homer since being activated from the disabled list.

Granderson's return lengthens Yanks' lineup

SAN DIEGO -- Curtis Granderson has often said that he does not consider himself a home run hitter, but for a Yankees lineup that has struggled to hit the long ball this season, his return should be a welcome addition.

Granderson was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Friday, and manager Joe Girardi slotted the 32-year-old fifth in the Yankees' lineup against the Padres, playing left field.

"We've seen what he's done since he's been here," Girardi said. "This is a power threat who can steal bases and can do a lot of different things. We're excited to have him back; we've just got to keep him here."

Granderson hit a career-high 43 homers last season for New York but has missed most of this year due to injuries, both of which were caused by hit-by-pitches.

He returned from a fractured right wrist in May and played just eight games before going back on the disabled list with a fractured pinky finger on his right hand, having been hit in a May 24 game against the Rays.

Granderson said he feels fine now and won't allow the injuries to affect the way he plays.

"I've been hit before," Granderson said. "It's not the first time. It definitely won't be the last. I had some games down in the Minor League rehab when balls were inside. I got hit running the bases, you know?

"All those things, the ball's gonna hit me at some point, but I've just got to go out there and keep playing. Can't play scared, can't play timid, just go out there and leave it out there for nine innings."

The Yankees entered play on Friday with an American League-low .368 slugging percentage and just 91 team home runs, which ranks 14th among the 15 AL teams -- only the Royals (69) have hit fewer. Girardi said that Granderson's return will lengthen the Yankees' lineup.

"Obviously, when we get our DH back in the lineup Monday, it changes that as well," Girardi said. "We've got him hitting fifth tonight. I don't know exactly where he'll hit every night, but he's a big power threat."

Granderson, who hit one of those 91 homers during his eight games, said that he won't be tempted to add to that total to make up for the shortcomings of his teammates.

"I've never really gone and tried to, and I think with this team here, the ability to hit home runs is there but the ability to score runs is also there," Granderson said. "You don't have to try to do it just with the long ball.

"There's speed in this lineup, there's guys who can move the baseball to both sides of the field. Up and down, one through nine, anybody can go ahead and drive in runs, which is a good thing. It's just a matter of getting everyone hot, and hot at the right time."

Girardi said that he plans to keep Brett Gardner as the everyday center fielder, but Granderson would see time in center field on days that Gardner is out of the lineup.

Yanks give Nunez a shot at playing third base

SAN DIEGO -- The Yankees are giving Eduardo Nunez another audition at third base, and the review process began on Friday night against the Padres at Petco Park.

Nunez took ground balls at the hot corner on Wednesday in Los Angeles and was informed that he would start at third base against the Padres, though he didn't know which day.

"We're going to give him a shot there," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "We'll evaluate every day what we think, but we're going to give him a shot."

Asked how he felt about the workouts going into Friday's game, Nunez said with a laugh, "I think it's not enough," quickly adding, "I've been in this situation before."

The Yankees are trying to find ways to get Nunez's bat in the lineup with Derek Jeter playing shortstop; Brent Lillibridge and Jayson Nix are their other options at third base.

After being signed as a shortstop, the Yankees attempted to shift Nunez into a utility man role but abandoned the experiment early last season after a rash of errors, saying at the time that Nunez would only play shortstop moving forward.

"He's still going to have to play short," Girardi said. "We're just hoping that the maturity and the couple years of doing it, playing well at shortstop this year will give him the confidence to do it. But part of it is based on need."

Bombers bits

• Girardi said he thinks "it's possible" that Alex Rodriguez will join the team in Chicago on Monday for its series against the White Sox. Rodriguez played for Double-A Trenton on Friday and is scheduled to do so again Saturday.

"I think if we didn't [expect Rodriguez to play], I believe that we wouldn't have him go through the rehab," Girardi said. "We expect him to be a player. I can't tell you what's going to happen. Only Major League Baseball knows what's going to happen. So we have to prepare as if he's going to be a player for us."

• Friday marks the Yankees' first game at Petco Park. They played in San Diego during the 2002 regular season, going 2-1 at Qualcomm Stadium, and won twice here in the 1998 World Series.

• On this date in 1979, Yankees captain Thurman Munson died at age 32 in a plane crash while practicing takeoffs and landings in Canton, Ohio. His uniform No. 15 was immediately retired.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Yankees sign Dominican prospect Molina

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com | 8/1/2013 12:43 P.M. ET

Leonardo Molina, an outfielder, is ranked fifth on MLB.com's list of international prospects.

The Yankees have added a promising five-tool talent to their prospect pipeline, signing 16-year-old Dominican outfielder Leonardo Molina to a deal that includes a $1.4 million bonus.

Molina, who was unable to sign with a Major League organization until he celebrated his 16th birthday on Thursday, is ranked fifth on MLB.com's list of international prospects.

The 6-foot-2, 170-pound Molina bats right-handed and throws right-handed. He has impressed scouts with his defense, running ability and arm strength, leading some to believe that he projects as an above-average center fielder in the future.

Molina was a top prospect in the Dominican Prospect League and has been discussed as arguably the best athlete in this year's class.

The signing puts the Yankees over their allotted bonus pool by 4.9 percent ($1,970,000 to $1,877,900), which means they will pay a 75 percent tax on the overage. That amounts to $69,075.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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A-Rod preps for rehab stint with simulated game

By Adam Berry / MLB.com | 8/1/2013 7:53 P.M. ET

Alex Rodriguez works out at the Yankees' Spring Training home in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday. (AP)

TAMPA, Fla. -- Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez played a simulated game Thursday at George M. Steinbrenner Field, setting him up to start another Minor League rehabilitation assignment this weekend with Double-A Trenton.

Rodriguez is scheduled to join the Trenton Thunder on Friday and Saturday at ARM & HAMMER Park, his first official games since a Grade 1 strain in his left quadriceps delayed his return to the Bronx. That could put Rodriguez in line to rejoin the Yankees on Monday in Chicago, if he gets through the weekend without another setback or a suspension related to his involvement with the Biogenesis clinic.

Rodriguez, who hasn't played in the Majors this season after undergoing his second major hip surgery in January, hit .200 with two homers, eight RBIs, 12 strikeouts and a walk during his first rehab assignment from July 2-20. On the final day of that Minor League stint, he complained of tightness in his left quad, an injury that brought him back to Florida for more rest and treatment.

After a disagreement over the severity of the strain, the Yankees and Rodriguez agreed on a recovery plan, and the 38-year-old third baseman completed the final step toward a second rehab assignment Thursday by participating in a simulated game.

Rodriguez arrived at the Yankees' Minor League complex just after 9 a.m. ET on Thursday morning. Because of wet grounds at the facility, where he has been working out, Rodriguez was moved to Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees' Spring Training home.

The ballpark was closed to the media, but Rodriguez could be seen fielding ground balls at third base and running the bases during the simulated game. According to the Yankees, Rodriguez had six simulated at-bats in which he saw 31 pitches, and there were no fielders in the game. He was then taken back to the Minor League complex, where he exited the clubhouse and hopped into his car.

With about 20 reporters and five television crews waiting on the sidewalk outside of the facility, it appeared as if Rodriguez might publicly address his status and how he's feeling.

Rodriguez pulled up his car just short of the entrance, pointing to a group of print reporters on the left side of the driveway. He waved over the handful of writers, rolled down his window and said, "I'll talk to you guys, but no cameras." When another group of TV reporters and cameramen arrived, however, Rodriguez rolled up his window, idled for a moment, then left without speaking to reporters.

Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Discussions between A-Rod, MLB said to stall

Alex Rodriguez arrives for a workout Thursday at the Yankees' Minor League complex in Tampa, Fla. (AP)

The legal team representing Alex Rodriguez reportedly has been negotiating a settlement it hopes will help the Yankees third baseman avoid a lifetime ban from baseball, but a report Thursday night said that the discussions have stalled, with a source telling ESPN that the two sides "aren't anywhere close."

The talks, reported to be a conversation between Major League Baseball officials and the Players Association and another one between the MLBPA and Rodriguez's attorneys, were occurring despite Rodriguez's consistent denials of any connection to the Biogenesis clinic and his representative's insistence that an agreement would not be considered.

ESPN's "Outside the Lines" reported that the discussions hit a snag over the length of a suspension A-Rod is willing to accept and baseball's current offer. Sources were quoted as saying there is a "wide gap" between the sides.

Rodriguez is also said to be concerned about an assurance that he receives as much of the approximately $100 million remaining on his contract as possible.

Suspensions of up to nine players could come down on Friday, though it was unclear if an announcement regarding Rodriguez would be included at that time, the New York Post reported. Other outlets said that an announcement might not come until Monday.

MLB had no comment on the reports.

There has been speculation that MLB wants the 38-year-old Rodriguez to sit out at least a full season in exchange for not imposing a harsher punishment. There is a powerful financial incentive for Rodriguez to settle. If Rodriguez goes along with missing the rest of this season and all of 2014, he would still be entitled to the $61 million he is owed for the 2015, '16 and '17 seasons. He would not receive any of that money if he is banned for life and his appeal is denied.

Rodriguez, sidelined the entire season due to hip surgery, is scheduled to play in rehab games with Double-A Trenton on Friday and Saturday. If he is not suspended and prevented from playing pending an appeal, he could rejoin the Yankees as early as Sunday in San Diego or Monday in Chicago.

According to earlier reports by the Post, New York Daily News and ESPN, MLB earlier this week informed the MLB Players Association that A-Rod's penalty would be "considerable" and could even end his playing career if he decides to fight what is said to be extensive evidence that he not only acquired performance-enhancing substances from Biogenesis but that he recruited other players to patronize the clinic and impeded MLB's investigation.

Up to eight other players are expected to receive 50-game suspensions in return for agreeing not to file grievances and appeal their punishments, thus effectively ending their seasons. That group could include Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta, Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli and Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera.

Brewers star Ryan Braun accepted a 65-game suspension last week. If there are any appeals, MLB would present that as evidence to support the credibility of Biogenesis founder Anthony Bosch, who agreed to cooperate with baseball's investigators.

A player who accepts an immediate suspension would technically be eligible for the postseason if his team makes it. As a practical matter, though, it would be nearly impossible for a player to be sharp enough to contribute at that point.

When Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera was suspended last year, he could have been activated in time for the National League Championship Series, but the Giants decided against the move. Manager Bruce Bochy explained at the time that he liked the way his roster had pulled together down the stretch.

Rodriguez, meanwhile, has retained the services of the Manhattan law firm of Cohen, Weiss and Simon, according to the Post. If an agreement isn't reached, Commissioner Bud Selig has some options on what the next step would be.

If Rodriguez's suspension is based on the Collective Bargaining Agreement, he would not be able to play while waiting for arbitrator Frederic Horowitz to hear his case. While it's unclear how quickly an appeal could be heard, Horowitz conceivably could hand down his ruling before the end of the season.

If Rodriguez is suspended for violating the Joint Drug Agreement, he could play through the appeals process. Or, if he's suspended under the Commissioner's "integrity of the game" powers in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Selig himself would hear the appeal instead of Horowitz. But that's considered the least likely outcome.

Rodriguez has never tested positive for PEDs in non-survey testing, though he did test positive in 2003 survey testing, which could help his case in any appeal. But if it comes to that, Horowitz will have the latitude to consider a lifetime suspension and perhaps impose a lesser penalty.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman declined to speculate on the future during a conference call with reporters on Wednesday. He referred all questions to MLB, adding that the team will continue to assume Rodriguez will return to active duty until told differently.

"I think you have to at this point," Cashman said. "Nothing's been handed down, so I think you have to. We expected to have him back at this point. We don't have him yet, but I know he's playing in a simulated game [Thursday], and that's a step in the right direction."

Paul Hagen is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Mo shares time with Dodgers employees

By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com | 8/1/2013 2:28 A.M. ET

LOS ANGELES -- Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, baseball's all-time saves leader who's playing in his final season, lived up to his reputation as one of the game's great ambassadors by meeting with a select group of Dodgers employees before Wednesday night's series finale at Dodger Stadium.

The encounter was part of a farewell series in which the Yankees great has taken time out in his final regular-season trip to each road city to meet some of those who work behind the scenes.

"For me, it's a privilege," Rivera told the 18 Dodgers employees, which included Bill DeLury, who joined the organization 63 years ago in Brooklyn. "I never have a chance, unless you're on the field or in the clubhouse, to say thank you for what you do for baseball. It's an honor and privilege to share this time with you."

Rivera fielded questions from the group that ranged from the best club he played on (1998), to the significance of wearing the same number as Jackie Robinson, to success and failure.

"I consider myself blessed," he said. "My mother and father gave me the foundation. I came from a small fishing village. The Lord is my guidance. My beautiful wife supports me. I never consider myself great. I'm a blessed man. To me, it's all humbling. I didn't deserve it."

He said he is pleased to leave the game on his terms, on top, one year after suffering a torn right knee ligament.

"I didn't want to leave knowing that my team and organization couldn't wait until I leave," he said. "As a Christian, this year the Lord gave me the opportunity to play one more year and do it right."

Rivera said he anticipates working with Yankees Minor Leaguers as a consultant after he retires, but he is also dedicated to working with children in the community.

"That's my new career, my new challenge," he said. "I'm all for it and can't wait to help whoever needs help, with the help of the Lord."

Rivera capped perhaps his final game at Dodger Stadium with his 34th save of the season and 642nd of his career in a 3-0 Yankees win.

Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Kuroda's gem tees up Yankees' rally in LA

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Jackie's widow delivers special message to Mo

By Matt Weber / MLB.com | 8/1/2013 7:46 A.M. ET

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera retired the side in order and struck out two in the ninth inning to notch his 34th save of the year and the 642nd of his historic career as New York blanked Los Angeles, 3-0, at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday. The all-time saves leader, who will retire after this season, also received kind praise from Rachel Robinson, the widow of Hall of Famer and pioneer Jackie Robinson.

"I wanted to add a special greeting to the last player to wear the No. 42," Robinson said in a video directed to Rivera. "When Major League Baseball retired Jack's number in 1997, there were 13 players still wearing it. You have worn the number with class and dignity, and I believe you have added to the historic significance of that number."

Rivera, who met with Dodgers employees prior to Wednesday's series finale, has referred to wearing the number as a privilege in the past, and he has expressed his admiration and respect for Jackie's journey and the influence it left.

"Me being the last player to wear it, it's a challenge to keep the legacy that Mr. Jackie did, not only what he went through on the field, but off the field. The kind of person that he was, it's great," Rivera told MLB.com on Jackie Robinson Day in April.

"I'm sure that if Jack had seen you play he would have been proud to have his number worn by you, although he probably would [have] wished that it was for a team other than the Yankees," Robinson joked. "Congratulations on your amazing playing career and good luck with your future endeavors."

With Wednesday's performance, the 43-year-old Rivera lowered his ERA to 1.60. He has a 2-2 record with 34 saves in 36 opportunities in 39 1/3 innings this season.

Matt Weber is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Spencer: Jeter isn't Jeter, not yet

LOS ANGELES - Derek Jeter is a thoroughbred forced by circumstances to act like a trotter. It doesn't come naturally, and it's no fun at all.

"It's tough to make a conscious effort not to do anything stupid," the Yankees' captain said Tuesday night in the wake of a 3-2 loss to the Dodgers in front of a vocal sellout numbering 52,447 at Dodger Stadium. "It's difficult, but I try to look at the big picture and do what I'm told. I don't want to do anything stupid."

Jeter was hitless in four at-bats against Zack Greinke and reliever Ronald Belisario. The Jeter of old would have had an infield hit in his final at-bat against Belisario with two down in the eighth, but he kept it in low gear and allowed shortstop Hanley Ramirez to dive, stab his bullet headed for center field, get up, double-clutch and throw him out.

"Your natural reaction is to run as hard as you can," Jeter said. "But you can't."

In just his second game back from the disabled list -- he homered in his first at-bat in Sunday's 6-5 win against the Rays at Yankee Stadium -- Jeter was not ready to test the recovering right quad that was strained and put him on the shelf July 12, one game after he returned from October surgery on his left ankle.

The day is coming, he volunteered, when he will cut loose. He knows his body better than anyone does.

"I'll just do it," he said. "I won't tell them. I feel weird talking about it."

His manager, Joe Girardi, wasn't too crazy about the topic either.

"We've talked to him about it," Girardi said. "He's got to be smart about it. It's not what we're used to seeing, trying to protect his legs. He understands if he wants to play the rest of the year, he has to do that for a while."

Jeter is all about winning, and his team is 55-51 and trying to stay relevant. It is a struggle to support pitchers such as Andy Pettitte -- excellent across seven innings against the torrid Dodgers -- in the way they've been accustomed.

"I wouldn't say it was a bad night," Jeter said, referring to an offense whose five hits included a solo homer by Lyle Overbay. "Greinke threw well. We got those runs but really didn't threaten too much over the course of the game.

"It would be kind of unfair to him to say we didn't have it. We have guys who are capable of swinging the bats."

Alfonso Soriano came aboard courtesy of the Cubs to bring some life to the offense. He followed his four-hit performance on Sunday, including a homer and walk-off single, with a ringing double leading off the fourth, scoring after a wild pitch and Overbay's infield out.

After that, the sum total of the Yankees' offense was a one-out double by Ichiro Suzuki in the seventh inning.

Girardi, acknowledging that these are not your father's or grandfather's Bronx Bombers, spoke to the team's need to win close games. That means executing, doing all the little things, while supporting good pitching with quality defense.

The dynastic Yankees did all of that quite well back when Jeter was young and didn't have to think about muscles and joints that might not respond to total exertion.

"I've been on teams that have won a lot of close games," Jeter said. "There have been a lot of years when we won close games but didn't blow teams out. You've got to be able to win close games at the end of the year anyway."

With Jeter and Mariano Rivera in uniform, active, Pettitte isn't ready to concede to higher American League East powers. The southpaw talked about the "power of belief," how the Yankees need to carry it with them.

"I feel like this team's got a lot of experience," Pettitte said. "Hopefully, we can will this thing to the playoffs. I expect to go. Hopefully, everybody else here feels the same way.

"I know the older guys -- Jeter and Mariano -- what they're made out of, and we expect to get there. I know they're going to continue to push it. I wouldn't have come back if I didn't think I could continue to push it. Hopefully, we're going to grind it out and get it done."

Soriano made his Yankees debut in 1999 and became the everyday second baseman in 2001. That was an unforgettable season that ended in extreme disappointment in Arizona in Game 7 of the World Series.

Soriano, Jeter's partner in the heart of that defense, had two tremendous seasons before being dealt to the Rangers in 2004 for Alex Rodriguez. Through two years in Texas, one in Washington and then six-plus years with the Cubs, he continued to whip that big bat around.

Soriano, now an outfielder, is back where it started, looking to create a big finish to 2013.

"Mariano, Andy and Jeter, those were my guys," Soriano said. "It was special to have a chance to play second base with him. Now to come back and have a chance again to play with two Hall of Famers and maybe three, with Andy, it's very exciting.

"The only thing at the end of the day is winning. That's the motivation. That's what they teach you in this organization. Jeter makes a big impact on the lineup and in the field. We're happy he's back healthy. He has to stay healthy. He knows what it takes to be a champion."

Right now, however, this great thoroughbred is wearing a harness he can't wait to shed.

Lyle Spencer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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