It doesn’t mean Alex Rodriguez’ recovery from left hip surgery is progressing at a quicker than expected pace, but the Yankees third baseman has been given permission to start baseball activities.
“He has been rehabbing with Dr. Bryan Kelly and the physical therapist which is a lot of different things culminating in him doing full-bore running,’’ Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “So, now that portion of his rehabilitation is completed he has been cleared to travel to Tampa May 6 and they are now working out a baseball protocol for him.’’
Rodriguez had hip surgery in January, and the timetable given for his return was after the All-Star break, which is July 15-18.
Nothing Cashman has heard from the medical people has led him to believe Rodriguez is ahead of schedule.
“It has never come up, so I would say no,’’ Cashman said about Rodriguez returning before the All-Star break.
“Every conversation we have had with the physical therapist, he is exactly where he needs to be and he is on time and working hard. I never heard he is ahead of schedule.’’
In addition to recovering from hip surgery, Rodriguez has been linked to Biogenesis, a South Florida anti-aging clinic MLB is investigating regarding performance-enhancing drugs. Rodriguez has denied being involved with Biogenesis.
When Rodriguez arrives in Tampa on May 6 he will be joined by Mark Teixeira. Cleared to hit off a tee Wednesday, the switch-hitting first baseman who is on the disabled list with a right wrist tendon problem will go to Tampa when the Yankees leave for Denver following Sunday’s game against the A’s at Yankee Stadium.
“We are going to try and stay away from timetables,’’ Cashman said of what impact Teixeira’s swings had on a return date. “It’s good that he is getting cleared and going to Tampa.’’
Rodriguez and Teixeira will be joined in the extended spring program by Curtis Granderson (fractured right forearm), who is already playing in games. However, they won’t have Derek Jeter on the squad.
According to Cashman, Jeter is working on a recumbent bike and doing some swimming as he attempts to return from a second fracture in the left foot.
“Although he is in a boot, he can do some exercises to keep other aspects of the ankle strong, but that’s all he is doing,’’ Cashman said.