The New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez will likely miss the start of the 2013 Major League Baseball season because of hip surgery.
The 37-year-old Rodriguez, MLB's active home runs leader, must complete a four-to-six week pre-rehabilitation regimen before having the surgery in January that will require four to six months of recovery.
That means the 14-times All-Star and three-time American League Most Valuable Player, who was benched in the playoffs after struggling at the plate, will likely miss at least the start of the Yankees' season set to begin on April 1.
According to a Yankees statement doctors believe there is a strong possibility that the hip condition might have had a negative effect on Rodriguez's playoff performance.
