Alex Rodriguez hits his second rehab home run - MLB

Yesterday the New York Daily News continued its quixotic quest to put A-Rod into some phony insurance fraud retirement. Meanwhile, in Scranton, Alex Rodriguez was busy hitting a home run:

It was a vintage A-Rod moment.

Alex Rodriguez strode to the plate in the third inning, his at-bat soundtracked by a mixture of loud applause and loud-enough derisive comments from the PNC Field crowd. Ever the polarizing figure . . . even in a Triple-A rehab stint.

Then Rodriguez delivered.

He launched a 1-and-2 offering over the right-centerfield wall for a two-run homer and was showered with cheers.

It was his second rehab home run. His first at Triple-A. After the game Rodriguez said he felt “pretty good.” He has three rehab games to go. And, as reported yesterday, is expected to rejoin the Yankees on Monday.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Pitcher Jesus Luzardo became the second player in two days to beat the Miami Marlins in salary arbitration and was awarded $2.45 million.

Miami had argued for $2.1 million during a hearing Thursday before a panel of John Stout, Melinda Gordon and Richard Bloch.

AL batting champion Luis Arraez, an All-Star infielder acquired by the Marlins from Minnesota last month, was awarded a $6.1 million salary on Thursday rather than the team’s $5 million figure.

Luzardo, a 25-year-old left-hander, was 4-7 with a 3.32 ERA in 18 starts last year, striking out 120 and walking 35 in 100 1/3 innings. He is 13-18 with a 3.59 ERA in 45 starts and 16 relief appearances over four big league seasons.

Luzardo made $715,000 last season and was eligible for arbitration for the first time. He can become a free agent after the 2026 season.

Players have won two of three decisions this year, with about 20 more scheduled for hearings.

Seattle defeated Diego Castillo in the first decision this year on Wednesday, and the relief pitcher will get a raise to $2.95 million rather than his request of $3,225,000.

A decision is being held for Los Angeles Angels outfielder Hunter Renfroe, whose case was argued Monday.