Just after the Yankees were swept by the Detroit Tigers in the American League Championship Series, an embattled but defiant Alex Rodriguez said he would “be back” next season and had no plans to waive his trade clause.

Plans change, but ARod says he has no plans to waive no-trade clause. “That’s correct. I will be back. I have a lot to prove.”

— Peter Botte (@PeterBotte) October 19, 2012

Rodriguez struggled through an abysmal postseason, hitting just .111 through the two series. He was benched for Games 3 and 4 of the ALCS by Yankees manager Joe Girardi.

As the criticism piled up in the past few days, so did trade possibilities involving Rodriguez. But Rodriguez, 37, still has five years and $114 million left on his contract, a good portion of which the Yankees would likely have to eat to make any deal work.

Joe Girardi’s father, Jerry Girardi, died Thursday afternoon. The Yankees’ skipper will still manage Game 4 of the ALDS against the O’s on Thursday night. (Elsa/Getty Images)

Joe Girardi’s father, Jerry Girardi, died ESPN reported on Thursday afternoon:

Funeral services are pending and will be held in Girardi’s hometown of East Peoria, Ill. Jerry Girardi had been battling Alzheimer’s disease and spent the past several years in an assisted-care facility.

Joe Girardi was the fourth of five children and gave his first World Series ring to his father, according to the Peoria Journal Star. In 2008 after a visit to the assisted-care residence, the Yankees manager said of his father:

“He doesn’t talk,” Girardi said. “But I felt like there were two seconds when I left and said, ‘I love you, Dad,’ he responded. He said, ‘I like you.’ I just felt like he looked at me different for two seconds. That’s big for me.”

Girardi has yet to make a public statement about his father’s death. The news came shortly before the Yankees play the Orioles in Game 4 of the ALDS. According to the NY Post’s Joel Sherman, Girardi will reportedly still manage the game.

Derek Jeter could be out Thursday night against the Orioles. (Elsa/Getty Images)

New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi conceded that Derek Jeter isn’t a definite for Game 4 of the American League Division Series after the shortstop left with a bone bruise in the ninth inning of Wednesday’s win over the Baltimore Orioles, according to Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork:

“I’ll have to make a decision on what I try to do with him,” Girardi said. “You know, is the DH maybe for me? Does his foot feel good enough to play shortstop? Does his foot feel good enough to play at all?”

Jeter, of course, said he will play in Game 4. He reportedly had to talk his way into his last at-bat before finishing Wednesday night 2-4. Jayson Nix will likely start in his place if Girardi decides to keep him out or assign him to be designated hitter.

Jeter had left a game Sept. 12 with a bone bruise in his ankle and Girardi had opted to rest him, making him a designated hitter for four games.

Girardi is also still undecided on what to do with Alex Rodriguez. He said he’s not sure whether Rodriguez will be in the game Thursday night when the Yankees look to capitalize on their 2-1 lead over the Orioles:

“I still have the utmost respect for Al and I still think he’s a great player, he’s just going through a little tough time right now.”