A-Rod to serve as DH, bat second in return Wednesday

Alex Rodriguez is batting second in the starting lineup as the designated hitter in his return to the New York Yankees.

In his first game action in 17 months, A-Rod is to face Philadelphia's Kevin Slowey on Wednesday in the Yankees' spring training home opener.

Rodriguez, who turns 40 in July, served a one-year suspension for violations of baseball's drug agreement and labor contract. The three-time AL MVP is owed $61 million by the Yankees for the final three seasons of his contract.

He has lost his third-base job and is competing for at-bats at DH and as a backup at third and first base.