'The Captain' Returns To On-Field Work For Yanks
New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter has resumed on-field work for the first time since his 2013 season was cut short.
The Yankees captain hit off a tee in a batting cage and fielded 108 grounders on the grass in front of the infield dirt Monday at the Yankees minor league complex.
Jeter, who turns 40 in June, was limited to 17 games last year after breaking an ankle during the 2012 playoffs.
"I don't think about it, and that's a good thing," Jeter said.
Jeter broke his left ankle Oct. 13, 2012 during the AL championship series opener against Detroit. He was limited to five games and 11 at-bats during spring training last year, stayed behind in Florida when the team broke camp for rehabilitation and broke the ankle again in April during rehabilitation.
"It's good to have a normal offseason and get some work in," Jeter said. "Everything is normal now."
Jeter missed the first 91 games of the 2013 season, then felt pain his right quadriceps when he returned July 11. He went back on the DL, returned July 28 for three games, then strained his right calf.
Back in the lineup on Aug. 26, he played through Sept. 7, when he left for a pinch runner after singling against Boston. While scans of the left ankle were negative, the Yankees said four days later his season was over. Jeter wound up hitting .190 (12 for 63) with one homer and seven RBIs, playing 13 games at shortstop and four at designated hitter.
Jeter normally begins baseball activities in mid-Janaury in preparation for spring training.
Yankees pitchers, catcher and injured players start workouts Feb. 15, with the rest of the team beginning five days later.