Alex Rodriguez was not in the starting lineup for the Yankees in Game 5 of their ALDS against the Orioles.

Rodriguez has struggled mightily against Baltimore pitching and was pinch-hit for towards the end of the last two games.

"Obviously I'm not happy," he said of the benching. "You want to be in there in the worst way ... this is not a story about one person, this is about a team."

It seems unlikely that Joe Girardi would call on Rodriguez to hit, but the slugger says he'll be ready.

"As you know 27 outs a lot can happen," he said. "I'll be ready from the first inning on."

He also took the blame for his struggles.

"It's never about Joe," Rodriguez said. "I always have to look in the mirror...don't assume that you've heard the last from us, or me."