"Alex has proven his durability throughout his career, and we will take every precaution and step necessary to ensure his health as we near the start of the 2009 regular season and beyond," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said in a statement.

Rodriguez's status for the Classic was uncertain. The Dominicans' first game is on Saturday against the Netherlands in Puerto Rico.

It has been a rough spring training for the Major League Baseball All-Star third baseman.

Last month, Rodriguez admitted he tested positive for steroids in 2003 and said he had used performance-enhancing drugs from 2001-03, saying they came from the Dominican and were provided by his cousin.

The man identified as that cousin picked up Rodriguez in a car after the Yankees' first exhibition game against Toronto in Dunedin, Florida. The next day, the Yankees told Rodriguez that his cousin should not be anywhere near the team during spring training or the regular season.

Rodriguez met with MLB's Department of Investigations and Labor Relations Department for two hours on Sunday. MLB wanted to interview him about his use of banned substances, and the commissioner's office said Rodriguez was "cooperative."

Rodriguez went 1-for-3 with a double and scored on Tuesday in the Dominicans' 10-1 win over the Florida Marlins in Jupiter. He left after 4 1/2 innings, and did not disclose his ailment during postgame interviews.