TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -While the Yankees would prefer that Alex Rodriguez plays with a hip injury, manager Joe Girardi said surgery before opening day remains an option for New York’s third baseman.
“Ultimately it comes down to Alex: What he feels is best – get the information, talk about it as an organization,” Girardi said Friday. “Talk about with Alex, and ultimately he has to make the decision. It’s a tough decision no matter what.”
Rodriguez had additional tests on his injured right hip in Colorado on Friday, according to team co-chairman Hal Steinbrenner. A day earlier, general manager Brian Cashman said Rodriguez will attempt to play with a torn labrum and avoid surgery and a four-month rehabilitation period. A cyst in the hip was drained Wednesday.
ous. We’re going to take it slow.”
The diagnosis by Dr. Marc Philippon, in Vail, Colo., was yet another jolt to Rodriguez during a tumultuous one-month span in which the three-time AL MVP admitted using steroids from 2001-03 while with Texas.
Tigers designated hitter Gary Sheffield, who has battled injuries throughout his long career, feels Rodriguez should have surgery if it’s possible the injury could get worse and become a career-threatening situation.
“Nobody wants to see Alex out of the game,” Sheffield said. “You don’t want something like that. Based on my past history, trying to play through things, I think it would be wise for him to do it now.”
Cashman planned to talk with Philippon later Friday and said he could have additional information regarding test results. He wasn’t sure when Rodriguez will rejoin the Yankees. A-Rod will skip playing for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.
“We just want to get our hands wrapped around what is going on,” Cashman said.
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