Injuries keep piling up for the New York Yankees and — after Derek Jeter was forced to leave last night's 5-4 win over the Red Sox — the shortstop insisted more than a few times that it was "no big deal."
The sight of the Captain limping off the field, after aggravating a bone bruise to his left ankle that has been bothering him for almost a week, had to send shivers through manager Joe Girardi's own body.
The Yankees are already dealing with numerous injuries. Jeter has been their most consistent player during the team's month-long slump. It seems like the only numbers being piled up are inside the Yankees' M*A*S*H unit.
Still, Jeter said he would be back in the lineup for tonight's game in Fenway.
"I don't talk about injuries," said the shortstop. "I'm playing, so it's not an issue."
Jeter was last seen at last night's game being escorted off the field after trying to beat out an inning-ending, double play grounder in the eighth. Girardi and trainer Steve Donohue raced out to first base where the player was bent over in obvious pain.
The shortstop pleaded with his manager to stay in the game, but was replaced by Jayson Nix.
Girardi thinks the lure of a pennant race is too strong to keep Jeter on the bench.
"It's something he's been dealing with," Girardi said. "There's not a lot you can do with it. Knowing Derek, he will try [to play tonight]."
Jeter has been hobbled since chasing a pop-up on Sept. 5 and tweaked it again the next night, claims Girardi.
"I don't know exactly when it first happened, but really it's not a big deal," said Jeter after last night's game. "I wanted to stay in the game. They thought I should put ice on it. I'll come back and play to tomorrow."
So tell us Derek, is it a big deal or what?
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