A-Rod’s rehab spot top secret

To try and limit the “paparazzi” element of the performance enhancing drug allegations story involving Alex Rodriguez, the New York Yankees are planning on keeping A-Rod’s whereabouts a secret during his rehabilitation.

“I’m not going to say to try and keep away the extra whatever you want to call it, paparazzi, whatever it is, the stakeout wherever he is working out,” Cashman said. “That’s the only reason I’m not going to say where he is going to be on a given day.”

Rodriguez, 37, underwent left hip surgery on January 16th. The Yankees have estimated he could return after the All-Star Break.

Cashman, nor anyone from the organization, has spoken to Rodriguez about the specific allegations that surfaced in the Miami New Times a week ago that said A-Rod had a relationship with Anthony Bosch, a Miami-based man who has been associated with PEDs. Last Friday, ESPN reported that Rodriguez received injections from Bosch at his home.

Rodriguez, through his public relations firm, has denied any involvement with Bosch.

The Yankees are waiting for Major League Baseball to complete its investigation. Depending on the result, ESPN has reported the Yankees will look into trying to see what they can do about escaping from the remaining five years and $114 million on his contract. It is very difficult to void a guaranteed deal.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that he has spoken to Rodriguez about his rehab in the last week, but not about the allegations. Girardi declined to describe A-Rod’s mindset.

Yankees’ medical officials have been in contact with Rodriguez to discuss his rehabilitation from his hip surgery.

“We have a protocol set up for Alex that was already in line through Dr. (Brian) Kelly’s office,” Cashman said, referencing the surgeon who performed the operation. “I’m not going to state where he will be when camp opens. It hasn’t been altered with the recent publicity that he is dealing with.”

Cashman said the fact the Yankees haven’t spoken to Rodriguez is not a sign of non-support.

“The only thing required right now is patience and smarts,” Cashman said. “By smarts, I mean, do not get ahead of things you don’t know about. Do not speak to areas you have no knowledge of. Do not throw out sound bites that are convenient because everybody is hungry and thirsty for answers before you can legitimately provide any. So that’s obviously what we are doing.

Mariano Rivera, who was also on hand for the event, said he has not talked with Rodriguez.

“I have nothing to say about that,” Rivera said of A-Rod’s situation. “He will tell you when he has time.”

Tags: sports, mlb, baseball