Update on A-Rod Situation

News broke earlier today that Alex Rodriguez spent some of his hip rehab time with Canadian doctor Anthony Galea. Galea, who is currently facing drug charges and an investigation into his methods, told the Associated Press on Sunday that he treated Rodriguez during his rehab, but that he did not give him human growth hormone. This is a significant development for two reasons:

1) It confirms A-Rod did some of his rehab with a Canadian doctor who is notorious for using HGH. Galea’s assistant was arrested in September trying to move 20 vials of HGH across the U.S. Border.

2) The Yankees claim they had no knowledge that Rodriguez had been treated by Galea and they deny giving him authorization to use him as a doctor. The Yankees released a statement today saying that they only approved Doctor Marc Phillipon and Doctor Mark Lindsay to oversee A-Rod’s rehab.

The situation instantly raises a few issues. Not only is Rodriguez in danger of violating his contract with the Yankees but he has invited an onslaught of media attention. After a post season of nothing but positive attention, the last thing Rodriguez needs now is a negative story to kill his high. It leaves worried fans thinking that this could be another year with negative A-Rod publicity and team distractions.

I personally think A-Rod is innocent in this situation. I am going to go out on a limb and believe that Galea only gave A-Rod anti-inflammatory medication and not HGH like many are saying. Although I think A-Rod is innocent, I think he is flat out stupid for going anywhere near Doctor Galea. After the negative publicity he generated with his steroid confession last year, one would think that Rodriguez would approach any kind of treatment with the utmost caution. To go behind of the back of the Yankees to be treated by a questionable Canadian doctor makes the situation look terrible. Rodriguez could encounter some serious questioning when the federal investigation is through. As terrible as the situation looks, I think it is just another case of A-Rod not thinking before he does something: A habit that is getting old fast in my opinion.

It is remarkable that situations like this continue to surface with Rodriguez. If Alex wants to avoid negative coverage and distractions in 2010, he is going to need to make smarter decisions. Everything he does medically should be run through Yankees management and team affiliated physicians before it is done. Rodriguez has kept the media at bay by offering little comment on the situation, but if further details emerge, reporters will swarm. Although the situation is nothing to panic about yet, monitor it closely and hope A-Rod just wasn’t thinking straight.

What do you think is the real story behind the most recent A-Rod incident? Is the negative publicity that follows A-Rod a real distraction to the 2010 Yankees? Feel free to comment and discuss below.

Photo courtesy of Zimbio.com

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