SURPRISE, Ariz. --
Alex Rodriguez will miss at least a few days with a small herniated disc in his neck but the Texas Rangers are confident their $252 million shortstop will be healthy by opening day.
"From everything we've been told about the injury, we sit here today very confident that Alex will be back any day,'' general manager John Hart said Friday. "There's no reason to think he won't. We just want to hold Alex back, get him 100 percent over the next day or two and ease him back in. There's plenty of time.
Rodriguez complained of stiffness and fatigue in his left shoulder after playing Tuesday and Wednesday. He was scheduled for a day off Thursday and went back to Dallas for additional tests after an examination by team physician Dr. Drew Dossett.
A CT scan revealed a small herniated disc in one of the vertebrae in his neck and an irritated nerve. Rodriguez received a cortisone injection Friday to relieve the swelling and is expected back in Rangers' camp Sunday or Monday.
"Knowing Alex, the whole idea is to keep him away from this environment,'' manager Buck Showalter said. "If Alex were here, he'd probably be back in the weight room.''
The Rangers start the season March 30 at Anaheim, meaning Rodriguez has more than two weeks to recover before the opener.
"We never want Alex out of camp, but if it has to happen now is the time,'' Hart said. "The doctors assure us that this is minor, minor. From everything we've been told, playing on opening day is not a question.''
The five-time All-Star led the majors last season with 57 home runs, 142 RBI and 389 total bases. He became the fifth player in major league history to have consecutive 50-homer seasons, hitting 52 in 2001.
He is the
highest paid player in baseball, having signed a $252 million, 10-year contract in December 2000. Hart has talked with owner Tom Hicks, who plans to visit Rodriguez in Texas this weekend.
"Tom realizes that there are things he can't control and things he can,'' Hart said. "We talked late last night and he felt good about it. He felt very encouraged.''
Despite his personal success, the Rangers came in last place his first two years in Texas. They went 72-90 last season, finishing 31 games behind the Oakland Athletics.
"We really need Alex in the lineup,'' outfielder Juan Gonzalez said. "His being hurt really hurts the team. The last three years, we've been a losing team. We've all been working so hard. It hurts us that we're missing him.''
Rodriguez has been remarkably durable during his career, playing all 162 games the past two seasons. He has been on the disabled list only four times in nine years, with just one stay lasting longer than 15 days.
"Right now it's spring training, but we need him,'' first baseman Rafael Palmeiro said. "He's a big part of this team. He's
Rodriguez is batting .300 with one homer and nine RBI in 10 games this spring.
Donnie Sadler and Michael Young are Texas' primary options as backup shortstops.
"It's not particularly pleasant to think about, but it's not something we haven't thought about,'' Showalter said about being prepared to play without Rodriguez. "In the offseason, we asked a lot of what-ifs.''
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