Cashman: A-Rod's return not guaranteed this season

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman raised the possibility… (Jonathan Daniel, Getty…)

January 25, 2013

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman raised the possibility Friday that third baseman Alex Rodriguez could miss the entire 2013 season after undergoing hip surgery last week.

The Yankees announced after the surgery that the recovery time was expected to be six months and targeted Rodriguez's return after the All-Star break in July. But Cashman appeared to hedge on that projection in an interview with WFAN.

"Yeah, I think because (of) the serious nature of the surgery and the condition that he's trying to recover from, you know, there is that chance," Cashman told the New York radio station. "There are no guarantees in this stuff."

Cashman has no doubt the 37-year-old will put in the rehab work necessary to get back on the field as soon as possible.

"Best case scenario, yeah he should be back," Cashman said. "Worst case scenario is he won't be back, or there might be something between."

Rodriguez hit .272 with 18 homers and 57 RBI in 122 regular-season games last season but struggled in the postseason, batting .120 with no RBI.

In the offseason, the Yankees sign Kevin Youkilis to a one-year, $12 million contract to sub for Rodriguez at third until he returns.