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Update: The operation will be for a torn labrum in A-Rod's left hip, a completely different injury from the tear in his right hip that required surgery in 2009. The slugger will miss three to six months recovering, and the Yankees do not expect him to be at full strength until at least June, reports Joel Sherman of the NY Post:
Surgery will be done early in new year, recuperation time is 3-6 months. #Yankees hope A-Rod is back in June as a full player
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 3, 2012
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Original Post: The New York Yankees may have to alter their plans for the winter meetings as things get going in Nashville, as news has emerged that third baseman Alex Rodriguez will require another surgery on his ailing hip and may miss part of the 2013 season, reports Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News:
Source confirms to me that Alex Rodriguez will need hip surgery and miss part of 2013. The surgery will take place in January.
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) December 3, 2012
News of A-Rod's possible surgery was first broken by Joel Sherman of the New York Post, who reported that the Yankees view the veteran's ongoing hip issues as "a big issue:"
According to a person with knowledge of the situation, Rodriguez recently visited Dr. Marc Phillippon in Colorado after experiencing tightness in the hip that Phillippon operated on in 2009.
"It’s an issue,’’ the person said. "A big issue.’...And at 36 (37 in late July) you have to wonder what a second hip operation in four years will mean to the rest of Rodriguez’ career.
The injury may make the Yankees much more active on the free-agent and trade market this week trying to find a replacement for Rodriguez's bat in the lineup. New York has been shopping for an upgrade to Jayson Nix on the left side of the infield for some time, but now may do so with much more purpose.
Jeff Keppinger is the biggest name on the left on the open market, which says a lot about the lack of players available at the hot corner this winter. The Yankees could look to bring back Eric Chavez as well.
Rodriguez still has five years and a whopping $144 million remaining on his record-breaking 10-year contract with the Yankees.
