Associated Press
Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter says he’s been cleared to start baseball activity in his recovery from a broken left ankle.
The 38-year-old team captain reiterated Wednesday that he is on track to be in New York’s starting lineup for the opener on April 1.
Jeter won’t take the field for workouts until later this month. The 13-time All-Star said that is his normal pre-spring training routine.
“I’ve got the OK to start,” Jeter said before a launch party for his Turn 2 Foundation Celebrity Golf Classic. “But I don’t start until next week or the week after, anyway. In terms of baseball activity, I’m right where I need to be.”
Jeter broke his ankle lunging for a grounder in Game 1 of the AL championship series against Detroit on Oct. 13. He had surgery a week later and the Yankees said recovery time would be four to five months.
“Great … the leg is good,” Jeter said.
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.
The aging Yankees won the AL East last season and defeated Baltimore in the division series, then were swept by Detroit in the AL championship series.
“Too old or experienced?” Jeter said. “I’m pretty sure we’ll be competitive, and be right where we need to be.”
Jeter’s foundation has given out more than $17 million in grants since 1996 to organizations that help steer young people away from alcohol and drugs.
Meanwhile, Alex Rodriguez had surgery on his left hip and is expected to be sidelined until after the All-Star break.
The New York Yankees said Dr. Bryan Kelly repaired a torn labrum and impingement and the operation at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York “went as planned and without complication.”
The 37-year-old former All-Star third baseman is expected to be released from the hospital on Thursday and the anticipated time for a full recovery is six months. The Yankees signed free agent Kevin Youkilis this offseason to play third base while Rodriguez is out.