Alex Rodriguez doesn't have to worry about being purposely hit by a Tampa Bay Rays pitcher during this weekend's series.
"I'm not supposed to pass judgment or enact laws. It's not my job," Joe Maddon said. "My job is to run this team. Our pitchers' job is to try and get them out. Don't attempt to be judge and jury. Just let everybody do their jobs."
The New York Yankees have been concerned about Rodriguez ever since Ryan Dempster was allowed to throw at him multiple times before connecting with a pitch last weekend.
"I respect the fact that [Maddon] respects the process," Rodriguez said. "It's great to get back to just baseball."
Evan Longoria has said that he doesn't believe Rodriguez should be playing during the appeal of his 211-game suspension, but he echoed Maddon's statement.
"If the question arose to me I would never say throw at him intentionally," Longoria said. "First of all, I don't want to put a guy on base. I'd rather just try and get him out. I don't think it's the right thing to do. You don't want to get somebody hurt, whether it's him or somebody on our team if they decide to retaliate or it backfires. I think it's better to try and get him out."