While waiting to hear if his 211-game suspension will be upheld by arbitrator Fredric Horowitz, Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez remains optimistic that he will be allowed to play next season, according to an ESPN.com report.

"Yes, I feel confident. I'm preparing as always, working hard. I feel completely healthy, I have the entire offseason to prepare for it," Rodriguez said in Spanish to a group of journalists Saturday at the Punta Espada golf course in the Dominican Republic.