Mike Carlson / AP

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez stretches prior to a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday.

updated 2:06 p.m. ET May 16, 2008

TAMPA, Fla. - Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez reported no problems with his strained right quadriceps Friday, one day after running the bases for the first since being sidelined last month.

A-Rod is scheduled to play in the first of three extended spring training games Saturday. Barring any setbacks, he is slated to rejoin the team Tuesday.

“Thumb’s up,” Rodriguez said after working out at the Yankees’ minor league complex.

Rodriguez has been out since April 28. In Saturday’s extended spring game against Tampa Bay minor leaguers, he will face left-hander David Price, the first overall selection in last year’s amateur draft. Price is comimg back from a strained left elbow, and is expected to join Class-A Vero Beach after the outing.

Rodriguez took 77 swings in batting practice, fielded 32 grounders and ran in the outfield Friday. When asked if he felt anything in his leg, Rodriguez said “nothing.”

Also, right-hander Carl Pavano, coming back from elbow ligament replacement surgery, could throw off a half-mound as soon as next week. He is throwing at 60-feet on level ground.

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