SARASOTA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez thinks he can return from hip surgery prior to May 15, and though the Yankees would certainly welcome their cleanup hitter back before then, GM Brian Cashman isn’t betting on it.
“He’s hoping it’s sooner, and that would be nice. … They’ve done MRIs … and it all comes up as extremely encouraging from the doctor’s perspective, which means it’s extremely encouraging for us,” Cashman said. “But it’s always that way. You’re told it’s all good, you hope it’s going to be good, but even when he comes back you’re going to be wondering, no matter what.”
Cashman said Rodriguez – who, according to Joe Girardi, has added playing catch to his rehab program in Colorado – could start working out at the Yankees’ minor league complex in Tampa “around the Tampa Bay series (April 13-15) or a little earlier. The target date is floating.”
Cashman said Rodriguez is also swinging lightly.
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Xavier Nady was hit by a pitch on the left elbow in the sixth inning but said it wasn’t a big deal. “Nothing serious, we will see how it feels [today],” said Nady, who was coming out of the game following the at-bat regardless. He had a compression wrap on the arm.
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Joba Chamberlain’s arraignment in Nebraska on a drunken-driving charge, scheduled for yesterday, was postponed until today at his lawyer’s request. It’s the fourth time it has been rescheduled.
“It’s been over with. You guys don’t even care. I will show up and take care of business and be at [Yankee] Stadium Wednesday,” Chamberlain said yesterday after pitching 51/3 innings of a 6-3 win over the Reds.
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Brett Gardner , who on Sunday was named the starting center fielder, yesterday was named the James P. Dawson Award winner, which goes to the best rookie in camp.
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Legendary Yankee Stadium PA announcer Bob Sheppard, who missed all of last season, continues to recover from a bronchial infection. He will miss tomorrow’s workout, games against the Cubs on Friday and Saturday, and Opening Day on April 16. Former Yankees TV announcer Paul Olden will work the workout and the Cub games, but the club hasn’t announced who will work Opening Day.
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Jonathan Albaladejo was told yesterday he made the team while long reliever candidates Brett Tomko, Alfredo Aceves and Dan Giese were sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Albaladejo benefited from a late decision by the Yankees to carry another short reliever instead of a long man.