CLEARWATER, Fla. – Relax, Yankees fans. The captain is OK.
Derek Jeter was removed from New York’s lineup against the Phillies on Tuesday for “precautionary” reasons because his surgically repaired left ankle feels “stiff.” He said he might be able to play today, and doesn’t consider this a setback.
“I’m not concerned because I was told this was going to happen,” Jeter said. “From everything I’ve been told by the doctors, it’s normal.”
The 13-time All-Star shortstop was slated to play his first road game this spring but was scratched after taking batting practice.
Jeter broke his left ankle in Game 1 of the ALCS against Detroit. He played in his first spring game on March 9 and is 3 for 11 so far.
“It’s just stiff but it’s not in the part that I broke; it’s around it,” Jeter said. “I was told I’m going to feel it around the ankle because I was in a boot for so long. It takes time to strengthen. It’s normal, just have to deal with it and move on.”
The 38-year-old Jeter led the American League with 216 hits and batted .316 with 15 homers and 58 RBI last year.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Tuesday morning Jeter might begin the season as a designated hitter against Boston if the Red Sox start a left-handed pitcher.
Those plans are temporarily on hold. Jeter, however, still plans to be ready for the opener. “The luxury is it’s spring training and there’s two weeks left,” Jeter said, adding he doesn’t want Girardi to alter his plan of increasing his playing time in the next couple weeks.
Cubs infielder, pitcher injured
Chicago Cubs third baseman Ian Stewart will begin the season on the disabled list with a strained left quadriceps, which he injured while playing in a minor-league game last week
The team also announced that right-handed starting pitcher Scott Baker, returning from elbow-reconstruction surgery, will be sidelined after developing fluid in the elbow from his first spring start.
Around the majors
In Goodyear, Ariz., Chris Heisey and Jay Bruce hit consecutive home runs and Cincinnati tagged the Chicago White Sox 10-6. … In Mesa, Ariz., Alfonso Soriano and Darwin Barney each homered off Alexi Ogando and the Cubs beat Texas 5-4. … In Clearwater, Fla., Domonic Brown hit his sixth homer of the spring and Kyle Kendrick threw six impressive innings as Philadelphia beat the New York Yankees 4-1.
