Cashman chimes in on A-Rod's ride

Feb 26, 2009 - 8:19 PM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters on Thursday that the matter of Alex Rodriguez being picked up by his cousin after the spring trainer opener is no longer an issue.

When pressed on the subject, Cashman said it "has been handled."

Rodriguez was booed and jeered in Wednesday's contest against the Toronto Blue Jays. The three-time American League MVP hit a two-run homer in the win, then hopped into an SUV driven by his cousin, Yuri Sucart.

Sucart is the man 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.

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

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.