JUPITER, Fla. --- Mariano Rivera wasn’t the only Yankees legend making clandestine trips this week. Derek Jeter was in Charlotte on Thursday having his ankle looked at one final time by Dr. Robert Johnson, who performed his surgery in October.
The Yankees say everything is right on schedule, which means Jeter could be in a game soon. All Jeter needs to do is run full speed around the bases.
“It went great,” skipper Joe Girardi said. “I know he was cleared by the doctor. He can resume all activities. He is healed. There is not anything we have to say that he shouldn’t do that. This checkup has been scheduled for a long time to get final clearance.”
Yankees GM Brian Cashman had mentioned March 10 at one point. That is this Sunday in Dunedin against the Blue Jays. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Yankees waited another day to have Jeter make his debut at home on Monday.
When Jeter does play for the first time, it won’t be in the field. He will be the DH for two at-bats or so.
ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER INJURY: Lefty specialist Clay Rapada is hurt. Rapada has bursitis in his left shoulder.
“He is probably not going to throw for seven to 10 days,” Girardi said.
The Yankees' other main lefty, Boone Logan, has a sore elbow and is also not cleared to pitch right now.
“We have time still,” Girardi said. “That’s the good thing.”
