ARod's on-field rehab starts Monday

Slugger will take part in variety of activities in Tampa

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

04/12/2009 2:29 PM ET

KANSAS CITY -- Alex Rodriguez is set to begin swinging a bat and test his repaired right hip, reporting to Tampa, Fla., on Monday to make his first movements on a baseball diamond since a March 9 surgical procedure.

The Yankees said that the three-time American League MVP will begin the on-field portion of his rehab at the club's Minor League complex at 11 ET on Monday morning.

Rodriguez will stretch, perform agility work, do some light jogging, take ground balls and hit soft toss and off of a tee, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. Rodriguez also has scheduled multiple physical therapy sessions daily.

"He has long days," Girardi said. "It's not like normal Spring Training where you show up for a couple of hours. ... I'm very encouraged. To have a labrum surgery and be doing what he's doing already is really encouraging."

Rodriguez has been working out in Vail, Colo., since having a torn labrum in his right hip repaired, adhering to a program outlined by renowned specialist Dr. Marc Philippon.

A-Rod will instantly become the main attraction at the Himes Avenue facility, which is currently hosting extended Spring Training workouts.

Girardi said that he also expected Rodriguez would join the Yankees to watch their game on Monday evening against the Rays at Tropicana Field. The Bombers visit the Rays for a three-game series before traveling home for the opener at the new Yankee Stadium on Thursday.

The club continues to stick to a May 15 projection of Rodriguez's return to the big league lineup, though it could conceivably come in late April if A-Rod continues at this pace. On the date of the surgery, Philippon estimated Rodriguez could be back in six to nine weeks -- May 15 is the long end of that estimate.

"So much of it depends on how he feels the next day [or] if he has a setback," Girardi said. "It'll be a while."

During Rodriguez's absence, the Yankees have been starting journeyman Cody Ransom at third base. Ransom entered play Sunday batting .056 (1-for-18), but Girardi said that he was satisfied with the 33-year-old's approach and that he would continue to start at third base.