Alex Rodriguez did not get permission from the Yankees to seek a second opinion on an injury to his quadriceps, general manager Brian Cashman said in a statement on Wednesday.
The statement comes in response to Michael Gross, the doctor who apparently gave that second opinion. Gross said earlier Wednesday that he looked at an MRI of Rodriguez's leg and did not see an injury.
Cashman also reiterated that although Rodriguez violated the Basic Agreement, he still hopes to see the third baseman playing for the Yankees as soon as possible.
"As always, we will follow the rules and regulations set forth in the Basic Agreement, and will again re-evaluate Alex in Tampa tomorrow, as our goal is to return him to the lineup as soon as he is medically capable of doing so."
Rodriguez was initially expected to come off the disabled list Monday and join the Yankees in Texas, but the quad injury has kept him sidelined since he completed his rehab assignment. Gross said he asked Rodriguez how he felt Wednesday, and Rodriguez apparently answered that he felt "100 percent."
Cashman added this in his statement:
"As early as Friday, July 12, when I suggested to Alex that we move his rehab from Tampa to Triple-A Scranton (at Buffalo), Alex complained for the first time of "tightness" in his quad and therefore refused to consent to the transfer of his assignment. Again, last Sunday, Alex advised that he had stiffness in his quad and should not play on Sunday or Monday. We sent Alex to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital for an MRI which evidenced a Grade 1 strain.
The confusion over the injury is just the latest development in the drama that has unfolded between the Yankees and Rodriguez over the last few months. Rodriguez also may face a suspension soon for his role in the Biogenesis scandal, which could even result in a lifetime ban, according to Jim Axelrod of CBS.
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