A-Rod making progress in rehab after surgery

Girardi says slugger is 'in a good frame of mind,' but timetable is unknown
TAMPA, Fla. - Alex Rodriguez is making progress in his rehabilitation program following right hip surgery.

“I talked to him (Friday),” manager Joe Girardi said after the Yankees beat Houston 3-1 in a split-squad game Saturday. “He was supposed to get off the crutches today, supposed to start doing a little more rehab. Said he was good. (He’s) in a good frame of mind.”

Rodriguez underwent arthroscopic surgery Monday in Vail, Colo., where he will likely stay for the next couple of weeks. It’s not known if the 12-time All-Star, expected to be out until sometime in May, will rejoin the team before spring training ends.
“I guess it depends on how well his rehab goes out there,” Girardi said. “I would love to see him because that means it’s going well. We haven’t been given a timetable when to expect him out of Colorado.”

Girardi said Rodriguez, who has been riding a stationary bike and doing range-of-motion exercises, is adding a workout program in a pool.

In other news, Mariano Rivera is ready to pitch in games and says he will be ready for opening day.

The Yankees closer is set to make his first spring training appearance Tuesday after throwing 40 pitches Saturday during his second batting practice session since coming back from right shoulder surgery in October.

Rivera said he felt good even though he was a little high with his pitches.

He was scheduled to throw 30 pitches, but decided to increase the total by 10.

“Now the focus is to get some innings,” Rivera said.

He has “no doubt” that he will be ready for opening day.

Robinson Cano and Damaso Marte were examined Saturday by Yankees team doctor Chris Ahamd.

The initial evaluation for Cano is that the second baseman has right shoulder tendinitis. He has had tightness in the back of the shoulder all spring.

Marte has inflammation in his throwing shoulder, which the left-hander believes is the result of lifting weights.

Both will have an MRI exam Sunday.

Cano took batting practice, threw and took grounders before Saturday’s game, and then grounded out as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning.

“The fact that he played catch makes me feel better,” Girardi said.

Cano feels the tightness when he throws hard, but has no problem swinging a bat.

“I think I’ll be fine,” he said.

AP