TAMPA – According to Hal Steinbrenner, a final decision on Alex Rodriguez’s torn hip labrum is still being discussed. And while Brian Cashman said no surgery has been scheduled and Rodriguez wants to help the team now, the GM didn’t rule out surgery.
“There [were] more tests today; no decision has been made,” the managing general partner said outside the Yankees’ clubhouse at George M. Steinbrenner Field yesterday. “We are just being cautious.”
Joe Girardi, who met with GM Brian Cashman and Steinbrenner in the manager’s office for 15 minutes, talked with Rodriguez Thursday night.
“He said he wanted to throw and hit [yesterday] and see how that went,” Girardi said of Rodriguez, who underwent additional tests in Vail, Colo.
Rodriguez had a cyst drained Thursday and was sore yesterday. According to Cashman, Rodriguez swung a bat and simulated fielding ground balls.
Asked if that workout session not going well would lead to surgery, Girardi said, “I’m sure if it didn’t go good that would push him toward surgery.”
Girardi said Rodriguez, who will remain in Vail indefinitely, will have the final say in having surgery or trying to play through the discomfort.
“That’s a determination Alex and the doctors have to make and talk to both parties, but, yeah, there is a possibility [of surgery],” Girardi said. “It’s certainly something you have to think about.”
There was a buzz around the Dominican Republic’s team in the World Baseball Classic was that Rodriguez had told people that he was going to play for the Yankees Tuesday. However, Cashman said that wasn’t going to happen. Cashman also said, “He couldn’t play [today]. He is sore from having the cyst drained. We are getting as much information as possible.”
After completing a two-hour conference call with Rodriguez, agent Scott Boras, Dr. Marc Philippon, club doctor Chris Ahmad and Yankees president Randy Levine, Cashman said everybody was sifting through the options.
“There was noted improvement, but that was expected due to the size of the cyst,” Cashman said.
As for surgery that would shelve Rodriguez for four months, Cashman refused to rule it out.
“There is no surgery scheduled, but I am not saying that’s not an option,” Cashman said. “It’s an option. We are going through the process.”
Because of his talent and having nine years left on a contract, the Yankees want to make sure their decision is correct.
“Everybody is concerned, of course,” Steinbrenner said of his $275 million investment facing the possibility of surgery that would shelve the clean-up hitter for four months. “Especially [with] a player of his caliber. Of course there is great concern. We will take it slow.”
Thursday, Cashman said the Yankees were taking the conservative route for the time being. However, Stan Javier, the GM of the Dominican Republic team, told reporters Thursday that Rodriguez was having surgery Sunday or Monday. Javier also believes Rodriguez will be in Miami for the second round of the WBC.
“We are trying to get our hands wrapped around what we are dealing with,” Cashman said.
As for who would replace Rodriguez, journeyman Cody Ransom was at third last night against the Tigers. However, the prospect of the Yankees going with Ransom is small. When they signed CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira this winter it was to win a World Series. So, don’t expect them to trust a corner infield spot to a 33-year-old who has been in professional baseball since 1998 and has 183 major league at bats, a .251 average, seven homers and 24 RBIs.
Cashman said he has not engaged any club in trade talks but has received text messages and e-mails from agents who represent third basemen.
Additional reporting by Kevin Kernan