Yankees Just Say No to Trainer

The New York Yankees won’t rehire Jason Giambi’s personal trainer, meaning Bobby Alejo cannot travel on team charters this season and can’t supervise Giambi’s pregame and postgame workouts in ballparks.

After Commissioner Bud Selig’s decision last month to enforce rules restricting clubhouse access, Giambi expressed hope that an arrangement could be worked out.

“I think Jason is hopeful there is some avenue to work through,” Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday. “I just don’t sense where there is one right now.”

Giambi, who credits eliminating junk food for his noticeably slimmer physique this spring, had finished practice and left the clubhouse while Cashman spoke with reporters.

“I am talking to Brian Cashman, and I’m going to continue to talk to him,” said Giambi’s agent, Arn Tellem.

Tellem wouldn’t detail his discussions with the general manager. In the past, Giambi has credited Alejo for his preparation. Alejo was the strength and conditioning coach of the Oakland Athletics and followed Giambi to New York for the 2002 season.

That first year, the Yankees listed him as a batting practice pitcher. Last season, he was off the team payroll but still had access to the charters and ballpark weight rooms. He was banned from the clubhouse early in the season but granted access by the end.

Cashman said rehiring Alejo was not an option.

“The problem is if I do something like that, then I’m going to get a lot more requests to hire people, and I don’t want to be in that position, either,” Cashman said.

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Jackie Robinson will be honored every April 15 by Major League Baseball, starting with a national celebration at Shea Stadium paying tribute to the Hall of Famer’s legacy.

Selig announced Jackie Robinson Day on Wednesday, saying “we are further ensuring that the incredible contributions and sacrifices he made -- for baseball and society -- will not be forgotten.”

Robinson will be honored each year at all major league ballparks hosting a game April 15, the anniversary of the date he broke baseball’s color barrier in 1947 with Brooklyn.

Selig and members of Robinson’s family will be on hand in New York for the Atlanta-Met game. Balls with a “42” logo will be used on Jackie Robinson Day and scholars from the Jackie Robinson Foundation will throw out the first balls. Other details will be announced later.

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Michael Young, taking over at shortstop in Texas for the traded Alex Rodriguez, signed a one-year, $450,000 contract.

The Rangers also renewed the $300,000 contract for Laynce Nix, the likely starting center fielder.