Derek Jeter’s goal of being the Yankees’ Opening Day shortstop will not be reached, as he is most likely going to start the 2013 season on the disabled list, according to Andy McCullough of The Star Ledger. With Jeter’s absence on the first day of the season, Robinson Cano will be the only position player who also started Opening Day in 2012.
Jeter has been experiencing mild inflammation and soreness in his surgically repaired left ankle, which has sidelined him for the past week. He participated in BP, and even played in a minor league game the other day, but could not continue to play with the ongoing discomfort. GM Brian Cashman said that the season is approaching quicker than Jeter’s ankle can recover.
Because Jeter participated in spring training minor league games, his DL stint can be retroactively placed on March 22. Therefore, the Yankees are looking at an April 6 return for the Captain against Detroit.
Eduardo Nunez will likely be the Opening Day shortstop, the first time in 12 years any other player than Jeter will man that position – Luis Sojo started for a week to open the ’01 season as Jeter recovered from a quadriceps injury.
Nunez’s role with the team will be infinitely bigger than it was in season’s past. With soreness likely to bother Jeter all year, look for Nunez to play shortstop quite a bit, while Jeter is relegated to the DH role some days.
Cashmam: “The season’s coming quicker than that leg’s going to be ready.” Hopes Jeter can play by April 6.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughSL) March 24, 2013
