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A-Rod Surgery Still An Option

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The Associated Press

Published: March 7, 2009

Updated: 03/07/2009 12:34 am

TAMPA - While the Yankees would prefer that Alex Rodriguez plays with a hip injury, Manager Joe Girardi said surgery before Opening Day remains an option for New York's third baseman.

"Ultimately it comes down to Alex. What he feels is best - get the information, talk about it as an organization," Girardi said Friday. "Talk about it with Alex, and ultimately he has to make the decision. It's a tough decision no matter what."

Rodriguez had additional tests on his injured right hip in Colorado on Friday, according to team co-chairman Hal Steinbrenner. The tests were designed to determine strength and flexibility now that a cyst in the hip has been drained.

A day earlier, General Manager Brian Cashman said Rodriguez will attempt to play with a torn labrum and avoid surgery and a four-month rehabilitation period. The cyst was drained Wednesday.

"Everybody is concerned, of course," Steinbrenner said after meeting with Cashman and Girardi for about 15 minutes before Friday night's game against Detroit. "No decisions being made. Just being cautious. We're going to take it slow."

The diagnosis by Marc Philippon, a Vail, Colo., doctor, was yet another jolt to A-Rod.

Girardi spoke with Rodriguez on Thursday night.

"He felt a little bit of relief from that cyst being gone," Girardi said. "He sounded OK. I think he's concerned, too, because it is a big decision. He's worried about the season, how it affects us."

ATHLETICS: Infielders Nomar Garciaparra and Orlando Cabrera finalized one-year contracts.

Also, Jason Giambi was hit by a pitch three times Friday, prompting the plate umpire to issue a warning, as Oakland beat Seattle 12-1 in Phoenix.

DODGERS: To welcome back Manny Ramirez, who agreed to a $45 million, two-year deal Wednesday, JetBlue Airways is offering a $99 Manny Fan Fare each way for Southern California residents. The fare amount represents Ramirez's jersey number.

Through May 21, residents can travel from Long Beach to either New York's JFK International or Boston's Logan Airport or from Burbank to JFK. The special fare sale ends Sunday. JetBlue is the Dodgers' airline partner.

Also, Mark Sweeney, whose 175 pinch hits rank second in major-league history, announced his retirement Friday and joined Manager Joe Torre's coaching staff.

NATIONALS: Shawn Hill has no structural damage in his surgically repaired elbow the team said after the right-hander was examined Friday in Pensacola by James Andrews.

TWINS: The team will discount certain seats for Monday home games, based on the Dow Jones Industrials. The promotion will tie the cost of tickets in the Home Run Porch area in lower left field to the number the Dow closes at on the preceding Friday.

For example, if it's in the 8,000s on Friday, those seats will cost $8 on Monday. If it's in the 7,000s, it's $7. The regular price of those seats is $21.

WORLD CLASSIC: Lee Jin-young hit a grand slam Friday to power South Korea to a 9-0 win over Taiwan.

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