A-Rod to Have Surgery in Mid-January

Alex Rodriguez's hip surgery is set for January - the assumption is to build up some muscle prior to surgery - and is committed to coming back strong.

'I am fully committed to a very hard road back,'' Rodriguez said. ''We've done it before in '09 and it was a great result, both on a personal level and on a team level, more importantly. I take it as a great challenge and I'm excited for the challenge.''  

''Don't count us out,'' Rodriguez said. ''We are the New York Yankees.'' 

Onward and upward.

Can A-Rod Play Thru the Pain?

Hold your scalpels. A-Rod may not need surgery after all. In Brian Cashman's (WFAN has it) press conference this afternoon, he brought up the possibility of A-Rod trying to play through the pain.

A-Rod felt stiffness in his hip and was having trouble getting loose during his daily stretching. That led to further stiffness in his hip when he tried to bat. That's when the Yankees took an MRI, which showed changes from an MRI that was on done on the leg last season.

A-Rod had the cyst (one of significant size) drained of fluid, and had his range of motion measured before and after. The Yankees will continue to monitor A-Rod's range of motion, amount of pain, etc., as they determine whether or not to go forward with surgery.

"We're taking it one day at a time"- Brian Cashman discussing A-Rod's injury

You only have to think back to Jorge Posada last season to realize what a crucial decision this is. Posada tried to play through the pain in his shoulder, was unable to, and then missed the majority of the season.

Do you start the season with A-Rod playing and risk further injury? Do you take the hit early and go ahead with surgery or do you end up with a situation similar to that of Posada last year?

Brian Cashman, the medical, staff, and, of course, A-Rod have a lot of thinking and talking to do in the weeks ahead.

Breaking News: A-Rod out 10 Weeks with Hip Surgery

ESPNdeportes is reporting, courtesy of A-Rod's brother, that the third baseman will be out 6-10 weeks to undergo hip surgery. The Yankees have not acknowledged the information, but A-Rod reportedly will have the surgery done in Colorado on Monday, by top hip guy, Dr. Michael Philippon.

It's a blow to the Yankees hopes of getting off to a good start, but thankfully, much of the time missed will be during spring training. It makes the signings of CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett even more significant to keep games lower scoring.

This means that Cody Ransom will most likely be the starting third baseman, with Angel Berroa serving as the utility infielder. It also means there is no way that Brian Cashman can trade Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher. It also means there is no way the Yankees should move Mark Teixeira back to his old third base position.

It also means Yankees fans should not start saying they should have signed Manny Ramirez, or that they should go out and get a player to replace A-Rod.

The Daily Yankeeland - 3/5

The Yankees take on Team Canada in Tampa today at 1:15. Joba Chamberlain will make his second start of the spring. He pitched just one inning his first time out.

Hip specialist, Dr. Mark Philippon, says A-Rod's bothersome hip is most likely not serious. Seems like everyone we've talked to has thought the same thing......is this a residual effect from steroid injections?

A-Rod's talks with MLB investigators centered on his relationship with banned trained Angel Presinal.

Some good news- Mariano Rivera will throw off a bullpen mound today. It's the first time he'll toe the rubber since his off-season shoulder surgery.

The NY Times' Jack Curry spoke to Bernie Williams about the possibility of making the transition from the Puerto Rican WBC team to a MLB team. Bernie's not ruling out the possibility, but unsure if could play for a team other than the Yankees. (photo courtesy of NY Times)

Looks like the Yankees were well aware of the bleacher view obstruction a year ago.

A-Rod Could Miss WBC

The NY Times' Jack Curry is reporting tonight that Alex Rodriguez could miss the World Baseball Classic due to a cyst on his hip. The Yankees ordered an MRI after A-Rod complained of hip discomfort, and will be sending the third baseman to a hip specialist in Colorado on Wednesday.

Even if it turns out not to be serious, there is the possibility the Yankees will block A-Rod from participating in the WBC so that he can rest up his leg.