But a few months away -- especially in April when Sports Illustrated reporter Selena Roberts' book about him is released -- might not hurt Rodriguez in the long run. In that scenario the Yankees would need to pick up another third baseman for three to four months and many of these storylines could at least quiet down ... until A-Rod returns.

--3B Cody Ransom could be the Yankees' starter for a while if Alex Rodriguez is knocked out of action by his hip condition, but the journeyman whose main claim to fame so far is a YouTube clip, knows there's only so much he can do.

"Nobody can replace somebody like Alex, but I'd do whatever I can," said Ransom, a 33-year-old career .251 hitter. An extended absence for Rodriguez would most likely prompt the club to make a trade. Among the list of rumored replacements are Toronto's Scott Rolen, Detroit's Brad Inge and the Angels' Chone Figgins, whose versatility could come in handy if Rodriguez returns after a long absence this season.

--1B Mark Teixeira will feel increased pressure to bolster the lineup if Alex Rodriguez misses substantial time because of his hip issue, but he quickly dismissed the prospect of him providing any help in the field. Since Teixeira had played a handful of games at third earlier in his career and the Yankees have another first baseman on the roster -- Nick Swisher -- Teixeira was asked if he could shift to third. The Gold Glove first baseman, apparently not too confident about his skill at the other corner infield position, all but laughed off the suggestion, telling reporters not to consider that possibility because he wanted to help the team, not hurt it.

--RHP Mariano Rivera was "very pleased" after throwing his first bullpen session of spring training recently. The Yankees closer was rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery and the club hoped to have him appear in a game by mid-to-late March. "Every day it's feeling better and better," Rivera told reporters after the session.

--DH Hideki Matsui, who has been rehabbing from surgery on his right knee, could end up becoming a much more important part of the lineup if Alex Rodriguez is out because of his hip condition. Matsui said he "felt fine" after appearing in his first game of spring training recently, which is good because the Yankees will need him to find some of his old form. If A-Rod is out, the club could either shift 1B Mark Teixeira to the cleanup spot from the No. 3 position or move Matsui into the No. 4 slot. Either way, the Yankees will need him to provide a stronger presence in the lineup.

BY THE NUMBERS: 183 -- Number of major league at-bats for 33-year-old Cody Ransom, who could be the Yankees' starting third baseman if Alex Rodriguez misses time due to a torn labrum in his hip.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "To be honest, it's like drinking water from a fire hose." -- Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, on trying to deal with the news of the torn labrum in Alex Rodriguez's hip, which will require surgery either during or following the season.