Alex Rodriguez has hit his first home run since returning to the New York Yankees following a one-season drug suspension.

Rodriguez hit a long drive to left-centre on a 3-1 pitch from Boston right-hander Brandon Workman leading off the fourth inning Wednesday in Tampa Bay. Rodriguez has five hits in 11 at-bats (.455) this spring training.


Prior to Wednesday, his most recent homer was off a 2-1 from ex-Yankee George Kontos of the San Francisco Giants on Sept. 20, 2013 when he displaced Lou Gehrig as Major League Baseball's career leader in grand slams with 24.

Rodriguez will enter this season fifth all-time with 654 career home runs, six behind Willie Mays.

The three-time American League MVP, who turns 40 in July, has not played a full season since 2007 because of the suspension, operations on both hips and other injuries.

With files from CBCSports.ca