USA – New York Yankees star third baseman Alex Rodriguez will miss the second World Baseball Classic with a torn labrum in his right hip. A cyst was drained from his hip on Wednesday and the Yankees are hoping the beleaguered slugger will not need surgery.

Baseball’s highest-paid player, who is set to earn $32 million this season, played in just 138 games last season due to a strained right quadriceps. Rodriguez has been on the disabled list five times during his illustrious career.

Rangers Right-Hander Brandon McCarthy Set To Pitch Friday

Often-injured Brandon McCarthy will pitch against Kansas City on Friday in a “B” game. Texas chose for McCarthy to pitch on a back field instead of the regular spring training game after the former Chicago White Sox prospect felt tightness during a bullpen session on Monday.

McCarthy, who traded for John Danks in December 2006, pitched in only 23 games in 2007 because of blisters on his pitching hand and a stress fracture in his right shoulder blade. He made just five starts and pitched only 22 innings in 2008 due to right forearm inflammation and a strained tendon in his right middle finger.

Colorado Rockies Taylor Buchholz Sidelined With Elbow Injury

Colorado setup man Taylor Buchholz has a sprained ligament in his throwing elbow and will miss at least a month after an MRI on Wednesday. However, the club said no surgery is planned.

Buchholz is 12-11 with a 3.38 ERA over two seasons with the Rockies, and was a key member of the bullpen corps in 2008 when he posted a 6-6 record with one save after being converted from a starter.

San Francisco Giants Release Outfielder Dave Roberts

In a stunning move that could cost the team $6.5 million this season, the San Francisco Giants handed veteran outfielder Dave Roberts his walking papers on Thursday.

Roberts inked a three-year, $18 million contract with the Giants in 2007 but has been limited to 166 games the past two seasons because of knee and elbow injuries.

A team that signs Roberts would owe him the major league minimum of $400,000, and the Giants will be responsible for the remaining $6.1 million the 37-year-old is owed.

Tags: American League, National League