Text-message-happy ARod improving

Slugger could start playing Minors games first week of May

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

BOSTON -- Alex Rodriguez is sending text messages from Florida that indicate his rehab is going well, and the Yankees' third baseman could begin playing in Minor League games as soon as the first week of May.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said on Friday that Rodriguez will probably serve as the designated hitter at first and eventually move into playing the field as he returns from March 9 right hip surgery.

"The last few days have really been strong," Cashman said. "He's come leaps and bounds. Late in the afternoon, you'll get a text from Alex about how happy he's feeling about his day and his work, which is terrific.

"Clearly he's approaching getting ready to play in rehab games. Hopefully we're gearing toward something the first week of May where he can play in Minor League rehab games, and after that, off we go. We could use him back here as soon as possible."

Rodriguez had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip in Vail, Colo., and has been working out at the Yankees' Minor League complex in Tampa, Fla., since April 13.

The Yankees have officially set a May 15 target date for Rodriguez's return, but he could beat that if he does not experience any setbacks. Rodriguez has yet to attempt sliding, the last drill he would need to perform before getting into game action.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that he received a glowing text message from Rodriguez before the team's series opener against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

"Alex told me that it was his best day yet," Girardi said. "He felt stronger -- hitting, running, throwing, fielding -- than he has at any point in this rehab process. The target date is still May 15 -- maybe we get him earlier, maybe we don't."

Cashman said that there was no precise timetable on how quickly the Yankees could get Rodriguez back once he does resume game action. There is also no estimate of how many games or at-bats Rodriguez would need to show himself to be big league ready.

"We'll just take it on a day-by-day basis," Cashman said. "In certain circumstances, if it's extended spring [training], you can get him 10 at-bats in a game. It just comes down to what we're seeing. We've got rehabs that go short and long. It just depends on how he looks."