TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez is pleased with his recovery from arthroscopic hip surgery.

"He left me a message," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said yesterday. "He sounded good. Said: 'I'm doing well.' Good to hear from him."

Girardi exchanged telephone messages with the star third baseman on Tuesday night.

Rodriguez had arthroscopic surgery Monday to repair torn cartilage in his right hip, and doctors said they found nothing that would keep him from returning to the lineup in May.

Rodriguez will need a more extensive operation after the season, but should be ready for spring training 2010. He is expected to spend a few weeks rehabilitating in Colorado, then will return to the Yankees' spring training complex in Florida when he is ready for baseball drills.

DODGERS

Manny Ramirez is getting his own bobblehead this season. The slugger who recently agreed to a $45 million, two-year deal to stay with the Los Angeles Dodgers will be commemorated with a dreadlocked version of himself. The first 50,000 fans in attendance will receive the doll July 22 against Cincinnati.

INDIANS

Cleveland outfielder Shin-Soo Choo was cleared yesterday to keep playing for South Korea in the World Baseball Classic. Choo was examined by the Indians medical staff at the team's spring training complex in Goodyear, Ariz., after complaining of a sore left triceps a week ago while playing for South Korea.

METS

New York right-hander Mike Pelfrey threw a bullpen session yesterday and is set to return to exhibition play this weekend against Washington. Pelfrey felt pain in his lower left leg during a bullpen session last Friday and was diagnosed with a mild strain.

TWINS

Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer will take a stronger dosage of anti-inflammatory medicine to try to hasten his recovery from a lower-back problem. Mauer, who hasn't played yet this spring training, has inflammation on the right side of his lower back at the sacroiliac joint, where the spine meets the pelvis.