"Every time he steps to the plate, Alex Rodriguez evokes quite a response from Mariners fans, still bitter over A-Rod's departure from Seattle more than a decade ago.

Those fans are unlikely to get their opportunity to boo the Yankees' third baseman this week, as Joe Girardi said Rodriguez's sprained left thumb might keep him out of action until the Yankees open a series Friday in Toronto.

A-Rod missed the final two games in Anaheim after his thumb began bothering him again, prompting Girardi to say he would rest him for three or four days. That meant a potential return Wednesday against the Mariners, though that now appears unlikely.

"I'd like to get him this series, but I can't tell you that's going to happen," Girardi said Monday. "The fourth day would be Wednesday, so do you wait and give him two more days? That's what you have to think about."

Rodriguez, who had a cortisone shot on Aug. 28, hasn't swung a bat since Friday, letting his thumb rest with the hope that it will heal enough to allow him to be effective down the stretch.

"That's the toughest part; I'm kind of a cage rat over there with (hitting coach) Kevin (Long) and I can't even do that," Rodriguez said. "You sit around patiently (until) it heals up.""