"While Joe Girardi said Alex Rodriguez's return to the lineup could be Friday night in Toronto, the cleanup hitter would likely have to test his sprained left thumb swinging a bat today to prove to himself he can face major league pitching without worry.

"We talked about that," the Yankees manager said of Rodriguez doing some type of swinging before tonight's game against the Mariners at Safeco Field. The Yankees are off tomorrow.

Asked earlier about Rodriguez returning, Girardi said, "I think Friday is reasonable for Alex."

Rodriguez hasn't played since Friday in Anaheim. Since injuring the thumb diving for a ball in Minnesota Aug. 21, Rodriguez has played in nine games and is hitting .258 (8-for-31) with two homers and four RBIs."