Toronto, Canada – By Larry Fine
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Alex Rodriguez does not need more hip surgery and has been cleared to start a rigorous conditioning program, he said on Thursday.
"I got the word on Monday," he told reporters after a Yankee Stadium news conference to introduce new center-fielder Curtis Granderson.
"Now I get a chance to enjoy and look forward to 2010," added Rodriguez who missed the first month of the 2009 season following a hip operation.
"I probably would have been having surgery today if results were not good but we took the MRI (scan) and he (a doctor in Colorado) examined me and said no surgery needed. It's great news," added baseball's highest-paid player.
Rodriguez had limited surgery earlier this year, with the prospect of a more extensive procedure later.
"We came up with this intermediate surgery to get me through the year ... otherwise I would have been out until late August and the whole season would have been a washout," he said.
He said he was now eager to start an arduous off-season routine of weights, stretching and baseball drills to get in shape to play day in, day out at third base, with an occasional rest as designated hitter. (Editing by Tony Jimenez)
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