A-Rod will rest hip, no surgery yet

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez will not undergo hip surgery — for now — the club and the player's agent said Thursday afternoon.

After several hours of confusion, New York general manager Brian Cashman said Rodriguez has a torn labrum in his hip but will opt to rest.

What is certain is that Rodriguez, 33, will not play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, which started Thursday.

Cashman said if labrum surgery were required, the recovery time would be four months.

He added if Rodriguez is able to play, the three-time American League MVP might have off-season surgery to repair the labrum tear. Cashman said Rodriguez's preference was to try rest and treatment first.

"We're collectively trying to figure out what is best to do," Cashman said. "We don't want to rush into it. We want to digest it."

Rodriguez met with noted sports specialist Dr. Marc Philipp in Vail, Colo., on Wednesday. He had a cyst  aspirated from his hip.

Earlier reports Thursday in Spanish-language sports media outlets had Rodriguez undergoing surgery and sidelined until May. The reports quoted the player's brother, Joe Dunand.

Another setback

The injury is the latest setback for baseball's highest-paid and perhaps best player, who last month admitted using banned drugs while playing for Texas from 2001-2003.

It potentially leaves a huge hole in the lineup for the Yankees, trying to rebound after missing the playoffs last season following 13 consecutive appearances.

The leading internal candidate to take over at third would be Cody Ransom, 33, who has 183 at-bats in six major league seasons.

"It's worrisome thinking about your club without Alex," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Alex hasn't had any pain. Shocked — I think that's a pretty good way to describe it."

Rodriguez has encountered some boos in his limited spring training action in the last week.

"I spoke with Alex and his doctor and Cash today, and we're speaking again this afternoon," agent Scott Boras told the Associated Press in Phoenix. "Obviously, he is concerned. He was playing really well, but it's obviously been a difficult few days for him."

Last year, Rodriguez was sidelined from April 28 to May 20 because of a strained right quadriceps — his fifth career trip to the disabled list.

His 138 games were his fewest since 1999, when he tore the medial meniscus in his left knee during a spring training agility drill on March 30.

Rodriguez ranks 12th all-time with 553 home runs while hitting .306 and driving in 1,606 runs. He has also stolen 283 bases in his 13-plus seasons in the majors.