LAKELAND, Fla. — Just because Alex Rodriguez’s lawyer huddled with the Feds yesterday and he continues to believe the investigation is about Dr. Anthony Galea, that doesn’t mean the fog surrounding his involvement with the Toronto doctor has lifted.
After a week of saying there was nothing new, Rodriguez said yesterday his mouthpieces were talking to the Feds.
“My attorneys are working with the authorities as we speak about scheduling issues,” Rodriguez said before a morning workout at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “I intend to cooperate.”
MATTINGLY COULD TAKE OVER FROM TORRE
After the workout Rodriguez said he hadn’t been updated by his lawyers about a date or location. The Yankees are off on Monday.
“We don’t know if it’s going to be up north or here. I am hoping it’s here,” Rodriguez said. “The idea is to schedule something that allows me to cooperate and also get my work in. Obviously, doing it here would be fantastic. I would say sooner than later, but I can’t tell you exactly when. They are having healthy talks, and we are going to address this.”
Rodriguez’s lawyers talking to the Feds, who are moving slower than Carl Pavano heals, doesn’t do a thing to clearly understand Galea’s relationship with Rodriguez.
Monday, the Toronto sports medicine guru, who is known for a blood spinning process that supposedly speeds the healing process, said he treated Rodriguez with anti-inflammatory drugs last year when Rodriguez was rebounding from hip surgery.
Since Galea has admitted to using human growth hormone, something an assistant of his was busted for in upstate New York, and was arrested on Oct. 15 for selling Actovegin, conspiracy to import a unapproved drug and smuggling goods into Canada.
Did Galea tell the truth about never giving athletes HGH? Could he have given Rodriguez a performance-enhancing drug to aid the healing process without telling him?
When Rodriguez says “it’s about somebody else,” is that because he is hearing that from his lawyers? Or is he taking it for granted?
The pace of the Feds getting to him hasn’t gotten to Rodriguez.
“I am not frustrated, again, it’s not about me,” Rodriguez said. “I am looking to help and get my work in.”
Rodriguez says the Yankees haven’t spoken to him. Yet, when the Feds are done with Rodriguez, the Yankees will be in front of him with questions. And MLB is monitoring the situation, too.
Why did he go outside the club’s medical department to be treated by a doctor who wasn’t approved by Dr. Marc Philippon who performed the hip surgery?
Rodriguez, who likely met Galea through chiropractor Mark Lindsay, says his mind isn’t being dominated by what will come out of his talk with the Feds.
“I am really focused on our team and Boston on Opening Day and we have a good healthy attitude about this,” Rodriguez said. “Again, the thing to remember is that the investigation is about somebody else and I am here to cooperate.”
Rodriguez says he is being respectful of the Feds by not talking about it.
“You have to be sensitive, there is an investigation going on,” Rodriguez said. “It’s not my place to step in.”
As for the hip surgery that started the process of Rodriguez meeting Gaela, Rodriguez is encouraged the hinge is strong.
“It feels good to be back to the flexibility and freedom of movement and to have a regular camp,” Rodriguez said. “At some point I am going to have to see Philippon and take pictures, maybe at the All-Star break or when we go west. But the last time it was good.”