Report: A-Rod leaves with Sucart after spring debut

Feb 26, 2009 - 1:56 AM DUNEDIN, Florida (Ticker) -- Alex Rodriguez hit a long home run Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Toronto Blue Jays, but his reprieve from controversy was short-lived.

The New York Post reported that after the game Rodriguez hopped into an SUV driven by his cousin, Yuri Sucart, who the star third baseman claims injected him with a banned substance purchased in the Dominican Republic during Rodriguez's three seasons in Texas from 2001-2003.

Rodriguez did not name Sucart - only referring to him as a cousin - during a press conference with reporters earlier this month, but ESPN later uncovered his identity two days later.

In his first game since admitting steroid use, Rodriguez and the New York Yankees opened their Grapefruit League schedule against the Blue Jays. Rodriguez was greeted with a loud chorus of boos during his first at-bat, a walk in the first inning.

In his next at-bat in the fourth, however, Rodriguez belted a two-run homer deep over the fence in left-center field at Dunedin Park. He received a standing ovation from a large contingent of Yankees' fans in attendance.

During the game, Rodriguez was taunted with occasional shouts of "Cheater!" and "Where's Yuri?", a reference to Sucart.

"It was nice to be out there playing baseball again," Rodriguez said. "It's the place where I feel most relaxed.

"I thought the fans were OK, actually. I'd like to invite a bunch of them to Fenway (Park) this summer."

Rodriguez also walked in this third plate appearance in the fifth before being replaced at third base in the bottom half of the inning.

Rodriguez is scheduled to meet with Major League Baseball officials some time this week to discuss his recent admission of steroid use.

He expects to play in four of the Yankees' first five exhibition games before joining the Dominican Republic team for the World Baseball Classic that begins next week.