Alex Rodriguez out of All-Star game

NEW YORK—Alex Rodriguez’s sore right knee will keep him out of the All-Star game and the Yankees’ lineup.

Rodriguez pulled out of Tuesday’s game in Arizona after he was held out of the lineup against the Tampa Bay Rays before it was postponed by rain on Friday night.

He was sent for an MRI that manager Joe Girardi said was precautionary but he wasn’t sure if Rodriguez will be able to play Saturday afternoon against the Rays.

Rodriguez had been reluctant to ask out of a game since being injured, especially when Derek Jeter was on the disabled list. But he has looked considerably slower on the basepaths recently.

“He’s not moving well,” Girardi said. “His leg has been a little sore.”

Rodriguez tweaked the knee against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 19. Despite hitting .359 with 10 RBIs in his last 16 games, Rodriguez has not homered in 85 at-bats, the longest single-season drought of his career, and Girardi said the knee could be hindering A-Rod’s plant leg when he swings, and thus his power.

Rodriguez has 13 homers this season and 626 for his career. He hasn’t connected since June 11 though he hit a drive high off the wall in center field at Citi Field a week ago, more than 400 feet from home plate. After that game he said, “I have no pop,” while walking out of the Yankees clubhouse.

“He’s been banged up, he’s played a lot, Girardi said.

Rodriguez was elected by the fans to a 14th All-Star appearance, most among active players. Girardi said it was the third baseman’s choice because he was voted in.

“Would the rest help him? Probably,” Girardi said.

Rodriguez removed himself from the All-Star game shortly after teammate Derek Jeter said he would not play so he can rest the right calf that landed him on the DL for more than two weeks. Mariano Rivera backed out on Thursday because he has a sore right triceps and hasn’t pitched since Sunday, when he blew a save against the Mets.

Also, Nick Swisher was out of Friday’s lineup because a sore left quadriceps. Andruw Jones was scheduled to play right field in his place.

With the Yankees’ Nos. 4 and 6 hitters out, Girardi moved Brett Gardner to the top spot and bumped Jeter to second as he goes for the final two hits to become the 28th player to reach 3,000.

“Without two middle of the order guys we just thought it would be something different,” Girardi said.