Report: A-Rod denies report he woudl quit

Alex Rodriguez has refuted a Thursday report that he is unlikely to play for the New York Yankees again.

"Alex has no plans at all to retire," ESPNNewYork.com reported, citing a source close to Rodriguez.

Another source, which was authorized by Rodriguez to speak on his behalf, told ESPN.com:"Alex says he's working diligently on his rehabilitation and is looking forward to getting back on the field as soon as possible."

The third baseman is recovering from hip surgery that could leave him in such a lesser role that he may opt for an equitable settlement or simply retire, New York Daily News reported earlier in he day, freeing the Yankees from the five years and $114 million left on his contract.

"I don't know why he would want to go through the pain of rehabbing and trying to play up to the caliber of player he was, and come back to a game where nobody wants him," a baseball official told the Daily News. "If he did that, he'd be a part-time player and presumably unable to achieve any of the incentive clauses in the contract or even the milestones."

Rodriguez's latest steroid scandal involves his association with Miami "biochemist" Anthony Bosch, who is being investigated by federal and state governments, and Major League Baseball. The Miami New Times reported Tuesday that a former investor in Bosch's Biogenesis clinic provided documentation of the performance-enhancing drugs Bosch had allegedly sold to Rodriguez and other players.

Rodriguez and Bosch have denied the allegations. If Rodriguez is found to have been involved, he could face a 50-game suspension by MLB, or more if commissioner Bud Selig feels he lied in the past about his involvement with steroids and human growth hormone.