New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez is headed for hip surgery today (Mon., Mar. 9) that will sideline him for six to nine weeks and will need a second operation after the season, assuming he can play all the way through.
Dr. Marc Philippon, who will perform the operation in Colorado, said he’s confident Rodriguez will be able to do that after he recovers from surgery.
The decision Sunday came after Rodriguez and the Yankees spent the week mulling treatment options for his torn labrum, and it was yet another jolt to the three-time MVP during a tumultuous month in which he admitted using steroids from 2001-03 with Texas.
The arthroscopic procedure that was chosen gives Rodriguez a chance to return early this season — general manager Brian Cashman said he expects A-Rod back “sometime in May.” But it also means he’ll need another, more extensive operation in the fall.
Rodriguez and the Yankees decided to put off that surgery, which likely would have kept him out until at least July because it could require three to four months of rehabilitation.
Still, his injury not only leaves the Yankees with a huge hole at third base and in the middle of their lineup, it causes major concerns about the health of a player in the second year of a record $275 million, 10-year contract.
Information from Espn.com and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
