
Derek Jeter’s return to the New York Yankees might not come until May.
Manager Joe Girardi indicated Friday that Jeter needs more spring training-like work before his surgically repaired left ankle is ready for a major-league game. Jeter has remained in Florida for rehabilitation since the season started Monday.
“I think our hope is to get him out on the field soon,” Girardi said, stressing that Jeter needs time. “I don’t think you could say it’s going to be playing three or four games and he’ll be back. He’s going to have to go through somewhat of a spring training. How many weeks he needs, I think it depends on how he bounces back each day when he goes out and plays.”
In his place at shortstop in the Yankees’ lineup, Eduardo Nunez was hitting .400 entering Friday’s game against the Detroit
The 38-year-old Jeter last played in a minor-league game on March 23 as a designated hitter. He complained of stiffness and soreness in the ankle and has experienced difficulty in running while playing in only five games during the spring.
The ankle has been slower to respond than expected after he fractured it Game 1 of the American League Championship Series in October against the Tigers. There were hopes that Jeter could rejoin the Yankees by April 6.
“It just didn’t work out,” Girardi said. “I think they’re spending some time strengthening it more, so hopefully the next time he goes out on the field he doesn’t go through the same thing.”