Red Sox P John Lackey on A-Rod: He shouldn't be playing

Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez continues to be a topic of conversation around MLB clubhouses. (Getty Images)

Boston Red Sox pitcher John Lackey said he should not have to face New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez this weekend in light of Rodriguez receiving a 211-game suspension for his role in the Biogenesis performance-enhancing drug scandal.

Lackey is scheduled to pitch on Saturday at Fenway Park in the second game of a three-game set against the Yankees.

"I've got a problem with it. You bet I do," Lackey told the Boston Globe. "How is he still playing? He obviously did something and he's playing. I'm not sure that's right. ... It's pretty evident he's been doing stuff for a lot of years I've been facing him."

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Lackey, who is 7-10 with a 3.32 ERA this season, said that Rodriguez is a constant topic of conversation in their clubhouse.

"Sure, we talk about it," he said. "But talking to the media about it is a little bit different. People have strong feelings. "He took me deep the first time I faced him as a rookie, and he admitted to doing stuff back then. There are a lot of things I want back from him."