ARod's doc optimistic about hip

Slugger may not need another surgery after season

By Ed Eagle / MLB.com

Alex Rodriguez has responded well to his spring hip procedure. (AP)

Alex Rodriguez's recovery from a March right hip surgery has progressed so well that the doctor who performed the procedure is hopeful that the Yankees slugger won't need another surgery after the season.

"I don't want to jinx us, but there is a very good chance we can use conservative treatment," Dr. Marc Philippon told the New York Post. "We will take our time and look at all the variables, but I am very optimistic and happy."

Philippon replaced a torn labrum, removed and impingement and drained a cyst in Rodriguez's on March 9. The third baseman was back in the starting lineup less than two months later.

Since his May 9 return, Rodriguez has batted .269 with 23 home runs and 71 RBIs in 98 games. He's been particularly hot at the plate in the past month, with a .309 average, four homers and 13 RBIs since Aug. 1.

"I'm extremely pleased," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said of Rodriguez's production. "If he has a big month, he can drive in 100 runs and miss five weeks of the season. That's pretty good. We're extremely pleased with what we've got. The way he's played has been great."

Rodriguez, who has benefited from regularly scheduled days off this season, told The Post on Monday that it was "80 percent no; 20 percent yes" that he'd need offseason surgery.