PHOENIX -- Alex Rodriguez returned to Texas on Thursday for tests on his stiff left shoulder.

	Alex Rodriguez Shortstop Texas Rangers Profile
	2002 SEASON STATISTICS GM HR RBI R SB AVG 162 57 142 125 9 .300

Rodriguez complained of stiffness and fatigue in the shoulder after playing the past two days. He was scheduled for a day off Thursday and went back to Dallas for additional tests after an examination by team physician Dr. Drew Dosett.

"Certainly, anytime one of your players has something bothering him it's a concern," Texas manager Buck Showalter said. "We'll wait and see what the extent of it is. It was a good opportunity with him having the day off to have it worked on so we can see what we're dealing with."

Rodriguez was expected to return to spring training in Arizona on Thursday night or Friday. He is in the third year of a $252 million, 10-year contract.

The five-time All-Star led the majors last season with 57 home runs, 142 RBI and 389 total bases. He became the fifth player in major league history to have back-to-back 50-home run seasons, hitting 52 in 2001.

Despite his personal success, the Rangers came in last place his first two years in Texas. They went 72-90 last season, finishing 31 games behind the Oakland Athletics.

Rodriguez has been remarkably durable during his career, playing all 162 games the past two seasons. He has been on the disabled list only four times in nine years, with just one stay lasting longer than 15 days.

Rodriguez is batting .300 with one homer and nine RBIs in 10 games this spring.

Donnie Sadler is Texas' primary backup shortstop.