Girardi: Yankees expect A-Rod to be in Houston

NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez "does not have permission" to skip the season-ending trip to Houston, according to manager Joe Girardi.

Citing a source, the New York Daily News reported on Thursday that Rodriguez may not travel for the club's final three games, against the Astros, instead remaining in New York to prepare for the appeal of his 211-game suspension, which is scheduled to begin Sept. 30.

General manager Brian Cashman called the report "a false story."

"We expect our players to be there," Girardi said. "If they're able bodies, we expect them to be there. I'll see if he's available to me tonight, but there's no indication that he won't be."

Rodriguez was not in the starting lineup on Thursday and did not speak to reporters before the game. He was removed for a pinch-hitter in Wednesday's 8-3 loss to the Rays, and Girardi said the move was health-related; Rodriguez played through calf and hamstring injuries while the Yankees chased a postseason berth.