Yesterday Chris pointed out a story from the NY Times which suggested that A-Rod had an option other than major surgery or rest and rehab. It seems that he has chosen that third option, and that the team has signed off on it. From Pete Abe:
UPDATE, 9:36 a.m.: Alex Rodriguez will have less invasive surgery to repair the labrum, try to play and then have a full repair after the season.
UPDATE, 9:40 a.m.: A-Rod has an impingement, meaning bone is striking bone. The initial surgery will fix the labrum. The second will repair the bone deformity.
The goal, Dr. Philiipon, will be a rapid rehab. “It’s a very good option,” he said.
He said the rehab will take 6-9 weeks.
UPDATE, 9:47 p.m.: Surgery will be Monday. Dr. Philippon said he’s 85-90 percent certain A-Rod won’t have a setback this season.
A-Rod will stay in Vail for several weeks.
Again, it’ll be 6-9 weeks before he plays in a MLB game. So late April possibly.
UPDATE, 9:58 a.m.: Dr. Philippon said it’s 100 percent that A-Rod will need a second surgery.
The larger surgery would have kept him out 3-4 months. They’ll have to reshape the femoral head of the bone.
This seems to be the most logical option for all of the parties involved, assuming that the surgery allows Alex to play the 2009 season pain free. The Yankees could not afford to lose Alex for a long period of time, and any replacement would have cost the Yankees much more than actual value, being that everyone knew the Yankees were in a position of need. Alex can play out the season, and have the second surgery the day after the World Series. From the doctor’s optimism, I would guess that there should be minimal long term effects from not having the larger surgery immediately. This resolution allows Yankees fans to exhale, as Alex should be back at some point in early May.
Related posts:
This is the right treatment for A-Rod, the so called 3rd option, it will allow him to return in 6/8 weeks. Ransom at 3rd (6/8 wks) doesn’t look as bad as haveing him there for 3+ months.
I have read (somewhere) the idea of having Cano batting 3rd with Tex moving to the 4 spot. I don’t know if it is bad or good, if he were to show the sweet swing I saw him display in the minors…I could see that helping him and the team. He seems to have trouble whenever they move him anywhere near the top 3rd+ of the order…if they started it NOW, I think he would be able to do the job. He would have 4+ weeks to adapt and get over any mental problem he seems to have with moving from the bottom of the order. Conversely, if last years Cano shows up…option him to AAA…just kidding.
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
March 8th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
I dont know. I think a lot of the mechanical problems I discussed last week were caused by Cano feeling pressure and therefore pressing. I want him to get his confidence back before I move him up.
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Old Ranger Reply:
March 8th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
I agree with your supposition, that is one of the things I mentioned (above)…pressure eats him up. This is one of the reasons I would try him at the 3rd spot for spring training…maybe, 15/20 games in the 3 hole would be enough to kick start him…then again, maybe not.
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
March 9th, 2009 at 9:13 am
Except that the pressure factor cannot be tested in the spring. That is what I was getting at.
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I’m OK with the move. Whatever helps the team.
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JD Reply:
March 8th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
I guess that I owe you an apology. Ypou were right.
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