TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez underwent arthroscopic surgery Monday in Vail to repair torn cartilage in his right hip, and doctors said they found nothing that would keep him from returning to the lineup in May.
“The surgery went exactly as we planned,” said Dr. Marc Philippon, who performed the 80-minute procedure at Vail Valley Surgery Center. “No surprises.”
In other news, closer Mariano Rivera threw 30 pitches during his third bullpen session. Coming back from surgery on the AC joint in his right shoulder Oct. 7, Rivera is scheduled to throw batting practice Wednesday and could make his spring training debut about March 17.
“I’m right on track,” Rivera said. “Everything will depend on how the arm feels. So far it’s been feeling good.”
Rivera expects to be ready for opening day April 6.
Mauer cause for concern
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Twins catcher Joe Mauer has been hampered by back pain, hurting his rehab from kidney surgery Dec. 22.
Mauer, the reigning American League batting champion, will undergo a magnetic resonance arthogram today. Doctors will inject the all-star catcher’s back and stomach area with dye as part of the exam.
“We’ve got to figure out what’s going on so we can get him back and get him on the field,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. “This is another effort to try to figure out where we are at and what we need to do. . . . He’s not able to consistently go out and do anything. Concerned? Yeah.”
Footnotes.
Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez is on schedule to make his spring debut Thursday.
• Athletics third baseman Eric Chavez (shoulder) is out indefinitely.
• Pittsburgh outfielder Brandon Moss (thumb) is expected to be ready for opening day.
The Associated Press
