TAMPA, FLA. (AP) - Derek Jeter worked out on a baseball field Monday for the first time since breaking his left ankle last October.
The 38-year-old New York Yankees captain fielded 55 grounders on the grass in front of the infield dirt at shortstop at the team’s minor league complex. He also hit in a batting cage.
“Everything went well,” Jeter said as he drove out of the complex.
The 13-time All-Star expects to start in New York’s opener against Boston on April 1. This is the time of year Jeter usually starts his onfield pre-spring training routine.
Jeter broke the ankle lunging for a grounder in the AL championship series opener against Detroit on Oct. 13. He had surgery a week later, and the Yankees said recovery time would be four to five months.
Jeter has been walking on an underwater treadmill at the team’s facility since early January.
Wearing Yankees shorts and a T-shirt with long sleeves, the shortstop walked from the clubhouse to the main field without a limp. Several team officials, including trainer Mark Littlefield, watched Jeter’s workout.
Jeter. who spent 90 minutes at the complex, did not run _ he may not until spring training starts in mid-February.
Jeter had a resurgent season in 2012, leading the American League with 216 hits and batted .316 with 15 homers and 58 RBIs. He first injured his ankle in mid-September and then fouled balls off his foot several times after that.
Yankees’ pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for spring training two weeks from Tuesday.
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