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MRI Reveals Alex Rodriguez Has Slight Meniscus Tear in Knee

Alex Rodriguez has slight meniscus tear in right knee
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez throws out Cleveland Indians’ Carlos Santana at first base in the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 5, 2011, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Yankees Indians Baseb Mian 1
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez throws out Cleveland Indians' Carlos Santana at first base in the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 5, 2011, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez hasn’t hit a home run in 85 at-bats and a meniscus tear in his right knee may be contributing to the slugger’s recent power drought.

The Yankees announced before Saturday’s matinee against the Tampa Bay Rays that an MRI Friday taken on Rodriguez’s right knee revealed that he has a slight meniscus tear in his right knee. A-Rod is not in the lineup.

According to multiple reports, Rodriguez has two options: he could play through the injury that has zapped the power out of his swing or have surgery and miss about a month of the season. A decision is expected to come Sunday.

“I just don’t think he has the drive in his back side that he needs to have,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said, according to the Associated Press. “He’s not driving the ball.”

A-Rod is batting .295 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs this season. His last home run came June 11 in the Yankees 4-0 win over the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium.

Although he’s in the midst of the longest power drought of his career, A-Rod is batting .321 with nine RBIs in his last 14 games.

Rodriguez tweaked the knee June 19 in a game against the Chicago Cubs on the basepaths. While standing on third base, A-Rod started to run after a wild pitch, but decided against it, and went back to third.

The third baseman was selected to his 14th All-Star game, but notified MLB officials Friday that he wasn’t going to participate in the All Star festivities, joining Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera who have also opted out of the game in Phoenix.

After rain postponed Friday’s game against the Rays, Jeter will continue his pursuit for 3,000 hits. He is currently sitting on 2,998 hits, after doubling to center field Thursday against the Rays.