TAMPA,FLA. (AP) - Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter resumed hitting and fielding drills Friday for the first time since mid-April, a day after receiving medically clearance to increase his rehabilitation program for a broken left ankle.
Jeter hit off a tee and took swings at underhand soft toss in an indoor cage before fielding 13 grounders on the grass in front of the infield dirt and 23 more at deep shortstop. He made throws to first on some of the grounders hit to him on the grass.
“They gave the green light, so that’s encouraging,” Jeter said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Eduardo Nunez, who strained a muscle on his left side while filling in for Jeter, took swings and fielded grounders with the Yankees captain.
“Everything is a progression,” Jeter said. “Do more each and every day. As soon as I can do it, I’ll do it. As soon as I can comeback, I’ll be back.”
Jeter is working out at the Yankees’ minor league in Tampa, Fla.
“In terms of everyday schedule, I don’t know what that is,” Jeter said. “It’s more of taking it one day at a time.”
Jeter was examined Thursday by Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte, N.C. and recieved clearance to progress into baseball activities.
The 13-time All-Star hasn’t played this season after breaking his ankle while lunging for a grounder in the AL championship series opener against Detroit on Oct. 13 and having surgery a week later. He started onfield workouts Jan. 28 and was limited to five spring training games and 11 at-bats because of soreness. A new break was discovered during a scan on April 18.
New York expects him to return sometime after the All-Star break in mid-July.
Third baseman Alex Rodriguez, coming back from hip surgery in January, took 84 swings in batting practice, displaying power to all fields. A-Rod also took 33 grounders at third and has started making throws to first and second. He ended the fielding session by charging in several times to field slow grounders and a simulated bunt.
Rodriguez also did six hard sprints at around 90 feet in the outfield.
Outfielder Curtis Granderson, out with a broken left hand, said he will be examined next week in New York. He is throwing balls but not catching them, and he is running in the outfield.
Michael Pineda, who missed last season after right shoulder surgery, threw in an extended spring training intrasquad game at Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees’ spring training ballpark in Tampa. He pitched in his first minor league game last Sunday for Class A Tampa.
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