Derek Jeter caused a bit of a firestorm when he told ESPN.com's Rick Reilly that he could see himself playing in another uniform.

Jeter clarified on Friday, saying the question posed to him included the caveat that the Yankees did not want him back.

"You have no choice but to go to another team. I think it is common sense," Jeter said.

Common sense or not, Alex Rodriguez said he could never see Jeter in another uniform.

"That'll never happen," Rodriguez said before Friday's Yankees-A's game. "I never see Derek playing in (another) uniform. I see him, forever, for the next 1,000 years, in pinstripes.

"Even when he's 50 or 60, who knows, he'll still be helping out and being a leader and captain to the Yankees franchise."

Rodriguez spoke after spending some time with hearing-impaired children who were being fitted for hearing aids at Yankee Stadium, courtesy of the Starkey Foundation.

"It's just such an amazing cause," Rodriguez said. "To be able to change kids' (lives), literally ... overnight, is remarkable."

90 PITCHES FOR PETTITTE: Andy Pettitte threw 75 pitches on Wednesday, in his first start since breaking a bone in his left ankle on June 27. Joe Girardi hopes Pettitte can throw between 85-90 pitches in his next start, which is Monday in Minnesota. Pettitte hopes to make two more starts before the end of the regular season.

HOLD UP FOR GARDY? Girardi keeps saying that Brett Gardner's return is close. But, for some reason, Gardner isn't back yet. Girardi refused to get into great detail about why Gardner hasn't been called up yet. But he insists that it will happen soon.

When he's activated, Gardner is expected to serve as a defensive replacement and pinch-runner for the Yankees.

Gardner, who has missed all but nine games with a right elbow injury that eventually required arthroscopic surgery, could also be added to the Yankees' postseason roster, assuming they get there.

TUCK IN THE HOUSE: Giants defensive end Justin Tuck was at the Stadium for Friday night's game, less than 24 hours after the Giants' routed Carolina, 36-7. Tuck said having 10 days between games isn't ideal, but it will give some injured Giants (Corey Webster, Antrel Rolle) the chance to heal before Big Blue takes on Philadelphia on Sept. 30.

Tuck, a former baseball player and a Yankee fan, watched batting practice and said he could 'probably' hit one over the wall at the Stadium. Someone pointed out that Rafael Soriano has established a tradition of pulling his shirt out after saving a game -- what's been dubbed the "Un-Tuck." Tuck found it amusing. Get it? Tuck and Un-Tuck?

"It's good for him," Tuck said. "He's having a remarkable year. I'm all for the 'un-tuck' if he comes out tonight and gives us a save."