Still owed $27 million, Alex Rodriguez might be the most expensive hood ornament in the world, but get used to him sitting in the Yankees’ dugout.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday the club has no plans to release the struggling 41-year-old.

“It’s not an easy circumstance, but there are no plans right now to do anything but give some reps to other people and see where it takes us, and if matchups or injuries hit, you might see him back out there,’’ Cashman told ESPN Radio. “First and foremost, you just have to admit it’s not easy to go ahead and eat — meaning release — that kind of money. It’s not something you come to a quick decision on. There are players around the game with big contracts, well-below-average players, for many years, not just a year. Alex hit 33 home runs, I believe, last year.

“This is a bigger media market, more attention and a tempest around what should be done. All I can tell you is: Slow down a little bit. And here’s the counterargument: There’s a very large financial commitment through next year on a player of Alex’s caliber that was productive as [recently] as last year. Now, he’s being put in a position where sporadic play to try to get it going makes it more difficult. It’s fair to ask why and it’s fair to understand why it’s not a quick, rash decision, especially with September around the corner.

“If we choose to do something, that’s our right at any time, but right now that’s not being done.’’

When Joe Girardi used Carlos Beltran over Rodriguez as the DH, the manager was trying to protect Beltran from the wear and tear of playing right field to keep the Yankees’ best hitter productive and away from injury. Now, Beltran is a Ranger and Rodriguez hasn’t reclaimed the DH spot.

With the Mets starting lefty Steven Matz Wednesday night, Girardi opted to use right-handed hitting catcher and recently recalled neophyte Gary Sanchez as the designated hitter. Sanchez had six big league at-bats entering the game after being recalled from Triple-A Tuesday evening.

And even though Rodriguez is a .411 (23-for-56) hitter with eight homers, 20 RBIs and a 1.429 OPS against Bartolo Colon, who starts for the Mets Thursday night, Girardi didn’t commit to Rodriguez.

“I don’t know, I haven’t got that far yet,’’ Girardi said. “In the past he has had a lot of success off him. I will look when I go home [Wednesday night] and see what’s best.’’

Sanchez is the first of what is expected to be other prospects promoted to the big leagues before the rosters expand on Sept. 1. At some point even the rare pinch-hitting at-bat for Rodriguez might not be there. And regular at-bats seem like a long shot, with Girardi having started him just twice since July 23. Rodriguez’s most recent start was Saturday against Rays lefty Drew Smyly and he whiffed four times.

“That’s a conversation you can go back and forth with, different feelings from different people,’’ Girardi said. “Again, I said, we are going to use our young kids and look for spots to get him in but we are going to use our young kids.’’