Jeter likely to land on disabled list again in 'nightmare' season

In a twist of fate nobody could have foreseen a couple of days ago, it looks like Alex Rodriguez has a better chance of being in Monday night's lineup in Chicago than Derek Jeter does.

While Rodriguez defiantly claimed he would be suiting up against the White Sox — despite his impending suspension — Jeter looked totally dejected on Sunday evening after the Yankees 6-3 loss to the San Diego Padres. With the prospect of yet another trip to the disabled list with a strained right calf muscle more than likely, the Yankees' Captain sounded more than just frustrated.

“It’s been terrible,” Jeter said. “It’s been a nightmare. The whole season’s been a nightmare.”

After tweaking his calf last Sunday, Jeter underwent an MRI on Saturday night. The examination revealed a Grade-1 strain. Manager Joe Girardi indicated the team would make a decision on Monday in Chicago. Alex Rodriguez could replace Jeter on the roster. Jeter said he was not sure what tests, if any, he would undergo before the matter was decided.

Jeter compared the pain to a “deep bruise.” He spent Sunday receiving treatment. He indicated he was not available to pinch hit. He rested these past two days, but offered no assurances that his condition had improved.

“The odd thing is there was no play where it happened,” Jeter said. "Usually, you feel it on a particular play. I didn't feel it on any particular play. We got out to Los Angeles and I began to feel it [Sunday] night and [Monday] on the off day."

Jeter already missed the first half of the season with a twice-broken left ankle. He injured his right quad in his first game back, on July 11, and landed back on the disabled list. He could not recall how he injured himself on this time. There was no particular play that caused it, he said.

“I’ve been pretty fortunate in my career not to have to deal with too many things,” the 39-year-old Jeter said. “Now it seems like I’m dealing with them a lot at one time. So I have no choice to move on. Hopefully it heals quickly, and I can get back out there.”

It would have been interesting to compare the response from the Chicago crowd each time A-Rod or Jeets went to the plate.