Girardi: A-Rod doing well

[March 12, 2009]  TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Alex Rodriguez is pleased with his recovery from arthroscopic hip surgery.

"He left me a message," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Wednesday. "He sounded good. Said: 'I'm doing well.' Good to hear from him."

Girardi exchanged telephone messages with the star third baseman on Tuesday night.

Rodriguez had arthroscopic surgery Monday to repair torn cartilage in his right hip, and doctors said they found nothing that would keep him from returning to the lineup in May.

Rodriguez will need a more extensive operation after the season, but should be ready for spring training 2010. He is expected to spend a few weeks rehabilitating in Colorado, then will return to the Yankees' spring training complex in Florida when he is ready for baseball drills.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman talked with the three-time AL MVP Tuesday night and found him in "good spirits." Rodriguez has been riding a stationary bike and during range of motion exercises.

In other news, Yankees closer Mariano Rivera threw 30 pitches in his first spring training batting practice session. He will throw BP again Saturday and then will likely make his first exhibition appearance early next week.

Rivera had surgery on the AC joint in his right shoulder last Oct. 7.

"All I have to do is get more fine pitching," Rivera said. "The shoulder feels good. I'm happy with it. It's getting stronger every time I throw. It feels better and better."

Rivera threw at about 90 percent. The right-hander has "no doubt" he will be ready for opening day.

"We are right on track," he said.

Catcher Jorge Posada, limited to designated hitter as he rehabilitates from right shoulder surgery last July 30, remains on target to play behind the plate on Sunday. Posada threw to the bases on a back field before being the DH in the Yankees' 7-4 loss to Detroit in Lakeland.

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It's the best I've seen so far," Girardi said. "We're still shooting for March 15."

Posada was to throw again on Friday.

Notes: Reliever Edwar Ramirez (right shoulder bursitis) also had a 30-pitch BP session, and is scheduled to pitch Saturday. ... RHP Jason Johnson, coming back after treatment for a small cancerous tumor behind his right eye, is slated to make his first spring appearance Saturday. ... 2B Robinson Cano and LHP Damaso Marte, who played for the eliminated Dominican Republic team in World Baseball Classic, are expected back Thursday and will play Saturday. ... DH Hideki Matsui said his surgically repaired left knee is doing fine. He flew out twice Wednesday on two pitches.

[Associated Press]

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