Facing a 211-game suspension by Major League Baseball, what’s a couple additional games or a few thousand dollars to Alex Rodriguez?
During Rodriguez’s minor league rehab assignment, the Yankees third baseman was diagnosed with a Grade 1 quad strain that sidelined him for over a week. However, Rodriguez sought the advice of Dr. Michael Gross as a second opinion, who said Rodriguez wasn’t suffering from an injury.
That discrepancy drew the ire of the Yankees, who have now informed Rodriguez of their intent to discipline him for the unauthorized diagnosis.
Before Rodriguez’s home debut Friday night, a representative from the Yankees hand-delivered him a letter in the clubhouse, informing Rodriguez of the team’s intent to punish him, according to ESPN. Article XII, Paragraph D of the collective bargaining agreement says that a player must inform his team in writing before getting a second opinion for any injury issue.
Rodriguez informed the Yankees that he does not trust the team’s medical staff, according to the report. Rodriguez feels Yankees trainers misdiagnosed his hip injury during the 2012 playoffs.
