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Report: Hip injury could sideline A-Rod

New York Yankees' third baseman Alex Rodriguez participates in hitting practice during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida on February 18, 2009. (UPI Photo/Kevin Dietsch)
New York Yankees' third baseman Alex Rodriguez participates in hitting practice during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida on February 18, 2009. (UPI Photo/Kevin Dietsch) | License Photo

TAMPA, Fla., March 4 (UPI) -- New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez might miss the upcoming World Baseball Classic because of a cyst in his right hip, MLB.com reported.

The third baseman was examined by a team physician, Dr. Chris Ahmad, last Saturday in Tampa, Fla., where an MRI revealed the formation of an internal cyst. He was scheduled to see hip specialist Dr. Marc Phillipon at the Steadman-Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colo.

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"We felt it was in everyone's best interest -- for the team and the player -- to send Alex to Dr. Phillipon, who is regarded as the leading expert in his field," said Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman.

Rodriguez was to play in the WBC for his native Dominican Republic, which begins with a Group D contest Saturday against the Netherlands at San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Rodriguez, 33, is a .306 career hitter with 553 home runs and 1,606 runs batted in and also has recorded 2,404 hits in 2,042 games over 15 seasons.

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