Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. -- Alex Rodriguez will not report to spring training with the Yankees’ position players and will work on his rehabilitation from hip surgery in New York.
The third baseman is expected to be sidelined until at least the All-Star break following the Jan. 16 operation.
"I spoke to him last week. He was still barely, I think, on the crutches," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Tuesday during his opening spring-training remarks. "There’s not a lot that he can do here."
The Miami New Times last month published records that allege Rodriguez purchased performance-enhancing substances in recent years from Biogenesis of America LLC, a now-closed clinic in Coral Gables, near Rodriguez’s offseason home.
Rodriguez has denied the allegations. Four years ago, Rodriguez admitted using PEDs from 2001-03 while with the Texas Rangers.
"Him being in New York has nothing to do with trying to get rid of a distraction. It’s the best place him for him to be."
Major League Baseball is investigating the New Times report and hopes to acquire the documents.
"MLB has to go through its steps before any of us are really going to be aware of anything," Girardi said. "I think you’re always curious about things that you read about that are potentially damaging to your players and to baseball, of course. My concern is getting him healthy, and that’s what I’ll
New York signed former Boston third baseman Kevin Youkilis to fill in for Rodriguez.
"I think Alex had somewhat of a special surgery," the manager said. "It’s not a hamstring. It’s not something we’ve done a lot of, and we feel at this point the best place for him to be is New York, rehabbing under the doctor’s supervision."
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