The doctor who examined New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez says the embattled third baseman doesn't have a quad injury and is fine, according to reports.
Dr. Michael Gross of Hackensack Medical Center said on The Mike Francesa show on WFAN on Wednesday that he gave A-Rod a second opinion on his Grade 1 quadriceps strain and "didn't see anything" on the MRI.
Rodriguez was slated to return for the Yankees series in Texas on Monday, but a return to the majors was put on hold after the team reported an MRI revealed the quad injury on his 20th and final day of rehab on Sunday. The quad injury was revealed just days after A-Rod said he felt healthy and ready for his 2013 season debut, making many question the truth of his injury.
If what Dr. Gross alleges proves to be true, it would seem as though the Yankees are fearful to start Rodriguez again since he is under investigation by Major League Baseball for possibly being connected to a Biogenesis clinic in Tampa that is linked to the distribution of banned performance-enhancing drugs. Rumors have swirled that Rodriguez, who turns 38 on Saturday, may be one of the next victims of a suspension by MLB, or possibly a lifetime ban from the sport if the evidence against him mounts.
Rodriguez has reportedly told the Yankees hes' good to play on Friday, but whether or not that happens remains to be seen.
Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers already accepted and didn't appeal his 65-game season-ending suspension that was handed out on Monday due to overwhelming yet unidentified evidence that tied him to the clinic. While Braun is so far the first and only player to fall, it is expected that up to 15-20 more players will be punished, and A-Rod tops the list of suspects being investigated.
Rodriguez has yet to play for the Yankees in 2013, as he is recovering from off-season hip surgery he underwent in January. In the 13 minor league games A-Rod played in while rehabbing, he hit .250 (8-for-40) with two homeruns and eight RBIs.
With the possiblity of the Yankees and Rodriguez faking an injury, whether or not A-Rod ever appears in a Yankee uniform again remains in question.
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