TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees captain Derek Jeter is resigned to starting the season on the disabled list for the first time since 2001.
Jeter is undergoing treatment for his sore left ankle, still recovering from surgery last October. His last game action came as a designated hitter Saturday in a minor league exhibition.
“Of course, it’s disappointing,” Jeter said Tuesday. “I told you guys all along the goal was to be ready on opening day, and I didn’t reach it. I ran out of days. I pushed to try to get there opening day, and it didn’t work out. But I’ve still got to be ready for the majority of the season.”
Jeter broke the ankle in the opening game of last year’s AL championship series.
“It’s a setback for opening day, but it’s not a setback in terms of the recovery process,” Jeter said. “I heard from the doctor yesterday. It’s supposed to happen. Some things you can’t control. It’s a normal recovery process.”
Jeter is expected to join Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson on the disabled list at the start of the season and could be activated for the April 6 game at Detroit. He will meet with team officials to finalized his rehab schedule.
Rodriguez isn’t expected back until after the All-Star break following left hip surgery on Jan. 16. Teixeira hasn’t ruled out missing the first two months of the season because of a partially torn tendon sheath in his right wrist, while Granderson is expected to be out until the first week of May after breaking his right forearm.
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