A-Rod to make final decision on surgery

by Travis G on Mar 7, 2009 12:04 AM EST in New York Yankees News

But if we've learned anything from recent history, it's that he'll choose poorly.

Cashman said that no surgery date has been set, though it remains inevitable that Rodriguez will eventually have to go under the knife.

"Surgery is something that's going to have to happen at some point in time," Cashman said. "The question, now, is when."

In a telephone conversation, Rodriguez told Yankees manager Joe Girardi that he was feeling relief from the tightness in his hip. Girardi said that Rodriguez's workout would help "make a determination what the next step was."

Having surgery immediately could put him out until approximately July. While the Yankees will consult with doctors and other personnel on the matter, the final decision would be ultimately made by Rodriguez.

What's your say? Should he have the surgery now or try to tough it out all season?

- What did the Yankees know, and when did they know it? Jack Curry delves into the mysterious timeline of the "Cyst Heard 'Round the World".

Ten months. That is how long the Yankees have known that Alex Rodriguez had an irregularity in his right hip. Because Rodriguez was able to continue playing and never complained of any pain, the Yankees were confident that it was not a serious injury. But it has become serious.

- CC Sabathia made his first start of Spring Training, tossing two effective innings. He allowed two hits, one (unearned) run, no walks, two strikeouts, and had a great groundball-to-flyball ratio of 4:0.

David Robertson continued his push for a bullpen spot, throwing a perfect inning while striking out the side. Brett Gardner went 1-3 with a great catch in centerfield, and Jesus Montero returned quickly from a strained groin, going 1-1 with a double.

Poll

Should A-Rod have surgery now or later?

Now - just get it over with

88 votes

Later - try to play through it

24 votes

112 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Screw it

Let him get his knife on, and let the team come together without him. At least for once there won’t be any expectations when he comes to the plate.

The truth is the Yanks have more than enough without him to make a run.

"Here, if you have a milkshake, and I have a milkshake, and I have a straw. There it is, that's a straw, you see? You watching?. And my straw reaches acroooooooss the room, and starts to drink your milkshake... I... drink... your... milkshake!"-Daniel Plainview

by yankee come lately on Mar 7, 2009 1:10 AM EST reply actions

I wonder if...

This will force the Yankees to reopen the trade talks for Mike Cameron. They’ll most certainly acquire a real third basemen that can play a role after Rodriguez comes back (I’m thinking Chone Figgins maybe)

Adrian Beltre would be an interesting option as the Mariners won’t do anything but suck, Beltre is in a contract year and really the best third basemen that teams are not unwilling to trade. He’d be expensive for essentially a bench player for what happens when Rodriguez comes back, but I think Beltre + Cameron could approximate in wins what Gardner/Melky + Rodriguez could over 80 games or so.

I think they have enough to get Figgins and Cameron, the Brewers would likely accept Melky and Igawa + cash. The Angels have too many outfielders and really no place for Figgins, that and their bullpen sucks their team is ran by idiots so there’s a good chance that they’d trade Figgins for a reliever and a mid ranged ceiling pitching prospect. Plus when A-Rod comes back Figgins could play center on some days and he’d be an awesome bench player.

Other options would be

Brandon Inge – sick glove, he can catch and play CF to boot, an interesting bench option long term

Grudzielanek – Move Cano to third and play Grudzielanek at second everyday. Barf.

Durham – See above

Garrett Atkins: Overrated, but Colorado’s rebuilding and they need to get Ian Stewart playing time. Although, I don’t think the Yankees have a player that they’d be after.

Jhonny Peralta: I’m sure he could play third, and right now Cleveland’s rotation is:

Lee/Carmona/Pavano/Reyes/Sowers I can’t imagine that Kennedy, Coke, or Aceves could be much worse than any of those guys

Carlos Guillen: I’m sure Detroit will be terrible this year, and their rotation and bullpen doesn’t look to be in very good shape long term either…another possibility.

At any rate, all offseason I wanted a real CF; maybe this will force Cashman’s hand into acquiring one in hopes that a real CF and whoever replaces Rodriguez could approximate Rodriguez/Gardner/Cabrera’s production over a couple of months.

Then again, who knows. Maybe Damon and Matsui will have contract years, Posada, Cano, and Jeter will bounce back, Gardner will reach his ceiling 20ish defender .360/.380 45 steals at an 80%, and AJ might stay healthy all year. The likelihood of that happening is slim, and I hope that the Yankee management isn’t counting on it.

by Omar Little on Mar 7, 2009 5:15 AM EST reply actions