Alex Rodriguez’s suspension ends as Giants win World Series

Baseball season is officially over and so is Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez’s 162-game suspension -- the longest drug-related suspension in Major League Baseball history.

Rodriguez was suspended for one year following MLB’s investigation into the Florida-based Biogensis Clinic. He was originally handed a 211-game suspension but that was later reduced by an arbitrator.

MLB had sought the heftier suspension of the 14-time all-star after he was found to have used performance-enhancing drugs and to have hindered the Biogensis investigation.

Rodriguez, 39, is under contract with the Yankees through the 2017 season, but if he returns to the field for New York, the former two-time American League most valuable player will likely find himself at first base as a backup for Mark Teixeira or in the designated hitter role.

“I don’t think it’s safe to assume that he can play third base,” Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said earlier this month. “With his age and missing a full year, you have to have some perspective. This is a very difficult game. Alex is up for that challenge, but I think it’s safer to assume that might not be something that he can handle the whole year.”

The Yankees picked up third baseman Chase Headley via trade with the San Diego Padres in July, but he became a free agent with the close of the season.

Rodriguez has a career batting average of .299, though he hasn’t hit that well since 2008 (.302). He last appeared in a game for the Yankees on Sept. 25, 2013.

Follow Matt Wilhalme on Twitter @mattwilhalme