Damage To A-Rod's Hip Less Than Expected

From Anothony McCarron:

Alex Rodriguez’s surgeon, Dr. Bryan Kelly, told the Yankees that he discovered less cartilage damage in A-Rod’s hip than expected, a good sign that the third baseman will have fewer complications as he tries to come back, a source said.

“It was minimal,” the source said. “Now it’s up to his rehab.”

Minimal cartilage damage means “they wouldn’t have to do a microfracture (procedure) or anything where they are trying to regenerate areas where the cartilage has worn away,” said Dr. Derek Ochiai, an orthopedic surgeon and hip arthroscopy specialist in Arlington, Va.

“That will mean his rehab has the highest chance of successfully getting back to the level with his hip that he was before his hip started hurting.”

The recovery time is still six months, but this is clearly good news.

Jeter Gets The 'OK' To Begin Baseball Activities

Here's some more news on the injury front via CBS New York:

Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter says he’s been cleared to start baseball activity in his recovery from a broken left ankle.

The 38-year-old team captain reiterated Wednesday that he is on track to be in New York’s starting lineup for the opener on April 1.

Jeter won’t take the field for workouts until later this month. The 13-time All-Star said that is his normal pre-spring training routine.

“I’ve got the OK to start,” Jeter said before a launch party for his Turn 2 Foundation Celebrity Golf Classic. “But I don’t start until next week or the week after, anyway. In terms of baseball activity, I’m right where I need to be.”

Jeter broke his ankle lunging for a grounder in Game 1 of the AL championship series against Detroit on Oct. 13. He had surgery a week later and the Yankees said recovery time would be four to five months.

“Great … the leg is good,” Jeter said.

Jeter was also asked about the Yankees advanced age and had this to say:

Why would we be too old? Too old, or experienced? Which word do you want to use?” Jeter said. “I’ll go into the spring and see who’s there. We’re always full of surprises. You never know what’s going to happen. We’ll see when we get there how the team looks. It’s a long season. I’m pretty sure we’re going to be competitive and be right where we need to be.”

Jeter is a bit more confident than I am.

A-Rod: "Surgery Went Well"

Here's a photo Rodriguez posted on his facebook account along with this note:

"Surgery went well! The road to recovery officially begins ... looking forward to the challenges ahead."

The recovery time should be about six months.

Anyone else think it's stupid for Pettitte to pitch in the WBC?

From Anthony McCarron:

Andy Pettitte and Mark Teixeira, two Yankees who endured injury problems last season, are scheduled to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic in March, a source with knowledge of the roster confirmed Monday.

...

If a club does not want a player to participate because of injury, it can submit what’s called a “player objection notice” to the WBC’s disability review committee, which could rule on the objection. But with both Pettitte and Teixeira on track to be ready for spring training next month and both wanting to play, it’s not like the Yankees can prevent their participation.

I can understand letting Teixeira play. He's a notorious slow-starter and maybe a few competitive games prior to the season will do him some good. However, letting a 40-year-old Andy Pettitte, pitch in meaningless exhibition games masquerading as an important international competition is a joke.

Ichiro Pumped To Return To The Bronx

From the NY Times:

"Re-signing for the Yankees has awakened a fresh determination in me," the 10-times All Star told Japanese media after a workout in Kobe.

"This is a team that can select A-Rod as a pinch-hitter we're talking about," he added, referring to fellow future Hall of Famer Alex Rodriguez.

Ichiro's future with the Yankees had hung in the balance, the player unhappy that talks on a new deal were taking so long and threatening to negotiate with other clubs.

However, after agreeing terms on a deal worth $13 million over two years, Ichiro is expected to be the team's starting right fielder this season.

"It is an absolutely unique team," said Ichiro, who reportedly turned down more money from other MLB teams to remain in the Yankees pinstripes.

"Being able to take my place alongside such players has been something I have thinking about."

One of the things I'm really looking forward to for the 2013 season is watching a full season of Ichiro.

ESPN Releases Their Sunday Night Baseball Schedule

Today, ESPN released the first half of their Sunday Night Baseball schedule for the 2013 season.

March 31: Texas Rangers at Houston Astros
April 7: Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers
April 14: Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees
April 21: St. Louis Cardinals at Philadelphia Phillies
April 28: Atlanta Braves at Detroit Tigers
May 5: Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants
May 12: Los Angeles Angels at Chicago White Sox
May 19: Detroit Tigers at Texas Rangers
May 26: Atlanta Braves at New York Mets
July 14: St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs
July 21: New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox

I personally don't like the ESPN broadcasts so the less games the Yankees have, the better.

Kevin Long Getting An Early Start With Youkilis

From Dan Martin:

Long already has begun working with Rodriguez’s temporary replacement at third, visiting Kevin Youkilis in San Jose, Calif., last week.

“We looked at old film and compared it to 2012,” Long said. “We saw some considerable differences, mainly in his stance and it looked like the adjustments had an impact. ... I think we can get him back to being an all-star caliber player.”

Long plans on heading to Tampa shortly before pitchers and catchers arrive next month. He’s eager to put the pain of last year’s flameout against the Tigers in the ALCS behind him.

“It took a little longer for the sting to go away,” Long said of the sweep. “I feel like I’ve had a great career and done a great job, but that was a tough week. I feel good moving forward.”

I still think Long should have been fired after the way this team hit the last couple of seasons, but at least he's trying.

Soriano Signs With The Nationals

I will definitely miss untuck time.