TAMPA, FLA. (AP) - Not wearing a boot and walking without a limp, Derek Jeter spent 45 minutes at the Yankees’ training complex Friday while he awaits more rehab for another ankle injury.
The 38-year-old shortstop was wearing sneakers when he left the minor league facility, where he talked with the training staff. When asked about his disappointment, he said: “Of course.”
Jeter plans to fully address his latest injury in New York next week when the Yankees return from a road trip that ends Wednesday night at Tampa Bay.
The New York captain learned Thursday he had fractured his left ankle for a second time in six months. The team expects Jeter to resume rehab when the new crack heals, in four to eight weeks. Surgery will not be required. He is expected to return after the All-Star break.
Jeter was hurt last Oct. 13 in the AL championship series opener against Detroit. He was limited to five spring training games and 11 at-bats. When the team left spring training he stayed behind for rehabilitation in Tampa.
After three straight days of workouts, Jeter went to Charlotte, N.C., and was examined Thursday by Dr. Robert Anderson, who operated on him last Oct. 20. Jeter said he will have a follow-up visit with Anderson.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has repeatedly maintained the 13-time All-Star should be able to return to his previous level of play.
“Clearly he hasn’t done anything wrong,” he said. “He was cleared to play.”
Cashman stressed this is “a new fracture, but a small one. That’s, I guess, the only good part. They kept saying the word `small.’”
Jeter is among four regulars missing from the Yankees’ lineup, a group that totals 32 All-Star appearances. The defending AL East champions are 8-6 after Thursday’s loss.
Outfielder Curtis Granderson broke his right forearm when hit by a pitch from Toronto’s J.A. Happ in his first at-bat of spring training on Feb. 24 and is expected back next month. When asked Friday when he will be able to start swinging a bat, he said, “hopefully soon.”
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