Yankees’ A-Rod needs hip surgery

03-06-2009 | AFP

Rodriguez left the WBC’s Dominican Republic team on Wednesday

Panama Star NEW YORK. New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez requires surgery on his right hip that could sideline him until May, the third baseman's brother told Major League Baseball's Spanish-language web site on Thursday.

Rodriguez's brother, Joe Dunand, told LasMayores.com that the three-times American League MVP would have the operation on Monday and that the recovery time was expected to be about 10 weeks.

The Yankees did not confirm the report.

Rodriguez, 33, left the World Baseball Classic's Dominican Republic team on Wednesday to see a specialist in Colorado after an MRI scan taken by the Yankees team doctor last weekend showed an internal cyst that was causing him discomfort.

"Alex is destroyed," Dunand said. "We were all really excited to see him play with the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic but the most important thing is the operation is successful so Alex can continue with his career."