Alex Rodriguez will rehab away from Yankees' spring training

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Alex Rodriguez will not report to spring training with the Yankees' position players and will work on his rehabilitation from hip surgery

Alex Rodriguez will rehab in New York this spring from hip surgery and is not expected to play until the All-Star break at the earliest :: Leon Halip/Getty Images

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Alex Rodriguez will not report to spring training with the Yankees' position players and will work on his rehabilitation from hip surgery in New York.

The third baseman is expected to be sidelined until at least the All-Star break following the Jan. 16 operation.

"I spoke to him last week. He was still barely, I think, on the crutches," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Tuesday during his opening spring-training remarks. "There's not a lot that he can do here."

The Miami New Times last month published records that allege Rodriguez purchased performance-enhancing substances in recent years from Biogenesis of America LLC, a now-closed clinic in Coral Gables, near Rodriguez's offseason home.

Rodriguez has denied the allegations, and Major League Baseball is investigating the matter. Four years ago, Rodriguez admitted using PEDS from 2001-03 while with the Texas Rangers.

"Him being in New York has nothing to do with trying to get rid of a distraction," Girardi said. "It's the best place him for him to be."

Girardi said that when Rodriguez is able to do more, his situation will change.

"I think Alex had somewhat of a special surgery," the manager said. "It's not a hamstring. It's not something we've done a lot of, and we feel at this point the best place for him to be is New York, rehabbing under the doctor's supervision."