Yankees' Bryan Mitchell has nose broken by line-drive to face (VIDEO)

There was a scary scene at Yankee Stadium after New York Yankees pitcher Bryan Mitchell was struck in the face by a line drive off the bat of the Minnesota Twins' Eduardo Nunez.

Mitchell, the rookie who was a rotation replacement for CC Sabathia, has been diagnosed with a "small nasal fracture," after taking the liner off his face in the second inning of Monday’s game. 

After a few tense moments, Mitchell was able to walk of the mound with the help of a trainer.

Bryan Hoch of MLB.com described the bloody scene:

Yankees RHP Bryan Mitchell struck in the face with a line drive. Bloody scene here at the Stadium. He has left the game.

— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) August 17, 2015

"You're sick, sick to your stomach, praying for the best," Yankees catcher Brian McCann said after the dramatic 8-7 10th-inning win.. "You're just hoping for the best outcome. When I went out there, I was like, 'Are you all right?' And he said, 'I'm all right, I just need to get off the field.' So it was good that he was responsive."

Mitchell was taken to New York-Presbyterian Hospital for further evaluation right after the injury. He will be placed on the DL, but thankful things didn't turn out worse.

Yankee players make fake chalk outline of body mocking Eduardo Nunez's injury (VIDEO)

A day after Yankees infielder Eduardo Nunez fell to the turf in Toronto, a couple of his teammates made a tape outline of his body on the Rogers Centre infield before Wednesday night's game against the Blue Jays.

At the same spot where Nunez went down on the field, Vernon Wells and Joba Chamberlain made a mock chalk outline of the accident-prone infielder on the turf with athletic tape. There was also a wheelchair placed in front of his locker. Nunez laughed when he saw the wheelchair and immediately accused Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter of having something to do with the prank.

 "I think these guys have to be part of this," Nunez said. "For sure, I’ve got to find out. Do something, too."

"The video is funny," Nunez said of the clip (see below) of him falling down. "I know. Weird things happen to me all the time, I guess. Now it’s funny because I (didn’t) break my knee, but that wasn’t (Tuesday) night. Now I’m laughing."

The pre-game levity didn't last for long. By the end of Wednesday night, Nunez sounded more frightened than bent on prank revenge.

When Nunez tried to run in batting practice before the Yankees’ 7-2 loss to Toronto Wednesday night, pain flared up in his knee again and he was scratched from the lineup. Now he’ll be getting an MRI Thursday and the infielder is worried that he’s hurt badly enough that he could miss a few weeks.

That's no laughing matter to the depleted Yankees infield.

Gardner's diving catch looms even larger after Yankees rally against Rangers

Brett Gardner's outstanding diving catch to end the eighth inning and rob Elvis Andrus of a sure double looks a lot better to Yankees fans after their team came back from a 4-3 deficit in the top of the ninth to beat the Rangers, 5-4.

Comebacks have been rare for the weak-hitting Yankees this season—especially with the bottom of the order coming up and down one — so any runs the Rangers could have tacked on to their lead would have greatly diminished just about any chance of a come-from-behind win Tuesday night.

After Gardner's catch kept the Yankees' hopes alive, Brent Lillibridge — recently called up to the Yanks to play a position A-Rod was slated to handle by now — atoned for a costly error earlier at third by driving home Eduardo Nunez for the winning run in front of 42,000 stunned fans at Rangers Ballpark.

Afterwards, Gardner would call it "the biggest win of the year."

Cano really doesn't like sharing his side of second base

Robinson Cano didn't look too pleased when Eduardo Nunez crossed over onto his turf while fielding a an popup Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees second baseman stood with arms crossed, staring at the shortstop looking like he was saying Stay on your own side.

After an exchange of glares and a few flips of the ball — there were smiles all around.

Cano and Nunez show off interactive dance moves with hospitalized kids (VIDEO)

Robinson Cano and Eduardo Nunez tried their best to copy dance moves from an interactive game during a visit to Ronald McDonald House in New York City on Tuesday. The teammates were there with other Yankees players donating pillows to hospitalized children for Hope Week.

The Yankees' current shortstop-to-second base combo couldn't keep up with the dancing kids doing what looked like a mix of polka and the Chicken Dance.

Cano did more watching than dancing but seems to be enjoying himself almost as much as the jubilant children.

R.A. Dickey didn't like Yankees' 'Eye-Gate' stall tactic

R.A. Dickey had just been rocked by Lyle Overbay's two-run homer as the Toronto Blue Jays knuckleballer got ready to throw one of his gimmicky pitches to the next batter. In the New York Yankees bullpen, David Robertson — who had just caught Overbay's dinger — was warming up to preserve the 3-2 Yankees lead.

Out in front of the dugout was that next batter — Eduardo Nunez — who was being treated by trainer Steve Donohue with eye wash. And Dickey didn't like it.

“What had happened, and it was fairly obvious to everyone in our dugout, was that Joe (Girardi) was trying to get (Nunez) to take some extra time so he could get Robertson warmed up in the bullpen,” Dickey said. “(It’s) just gamesmanship on his part.”

Dickey approached plate umpire Chris Conroy to voice his objection. Toronto manager John Gibbons came out of the dugout to ask Conroy about it. Before the debate could get any more heated, Nunez came to bat.

Even before Dickey opened his mouth, Girardi was asked about what was happening and said, “Nunie had something in his eye.”

Told of the accusation, Nunez said, “You can’t predict you’re going to have something in your eyes. It happens. It was only for a moment. Why he said that, I don’t know.”

The Yankees were stuck between a rock and a hard place.  There was no way Nunez was coming out of the game — with only sore Kevin Youkilis waiting as the only replacement infielder — and Girardi wasn't going to take chances on his already thin bench.

Dickey’s ire was more directed at the umpiring crew than at Girardi and the Yankees.

“It’s well within the confines of the rules, it’s just that the umpire needs to have a feel for the game and know what’s going on,” Dickey said. “It’s certainly not Joe’s fault. He’s doing what he can to get his team ready to win the game. It’s the umpire’s responsibility to know what’s going on there.”

The knuckleballer gave up four hits in seven innings but two of them were home runs.  The tough loss dropped Dickey to 2-4 with a 4.50 ERA as the Yankees completed the four-game sweep of their northern neighbors.

Jeter still has fracture in ankle, out until after All-Star break

The New York Yankees got some bad news Thursday when they learned that a CAT scan on Derek Jeter's rehabbing left ankle revealed a small crack still exists in the area where the previous fracture was.

Brian Cashman announced that the Yankees star shortstop won't be back on the team until "sometime after the All-Star break" to give the bone more time to heal.

The unwelcome news came after Jeter made an unscheduled visit to his physician, Dr. Robert Anderson, on Wednesday — when the small crack was discovered.

"Derek Jeter has been having issues with the ankle. He saw Dr.Anderson today back in Charlotte ... who is the operating physician and the lead physician on this," Cashman said. "They did a new CT scan, which revealed a small crack in the area of the previous injury. We have to back off and let that heal. This is obviously a setback."

The Yankees captain broke the ankle diving for a ball in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Tigers in October. He is not expected to require further surgery, just rest.

"No surgery," said Cashman. "(Dr. Anderson) told me 95% of the people come back from this finer; you just have to back off.

"He hasn’t done anything wrong. He was cleared to play. This is the third CT scan, and the other two showed 100-percent healing, This a new fracture but a small one, that’s the only good part…but it’s a setback, so its not a good situation."

It’s not the first delay for Jeter's comeback. The shortstop had originally planned to return for Opening Day, but then had to be shut down after a couple of spring training games. He had been rehabbing in Tampa, and May 1 was a tentative return date, but now that has been pushed back till at least July 19 – when the Yankees open their second half in Boston.

Eduardo Nunez has filled in for Jeter at short and has missed three of 13 games because of minor injuries. Nunez will now continue to fill that role for the foreseeable future.

Manager Joe Girardi was asked before Thursday’s game with the Diamondbacks if anything could be made of Jeter visiting Dr. Anderson in Charlotte.

"Put two and two together," he said.

The 38-year-old Jeter has not played in a game since March 23 and has been mostly limited to taking ground balls and batting practice at the club's Tampa, Fla., complex.

Girardi said he would have further details later on Thursday.

Cashman: Jeter slated to start March 10

Derek Jeter got off the treadmill and ran the basepaths for the first time Saturday since having ankle surgery last October.  Although the New York Yankees shortstop is far from full speed, general manager Brian Cashman expects Jeter to be ready to participate in his first exhibition game on March 10.

Jeter's first action will probably come as a designated hitter and leave the rehabbing Captain 18 spring games over the final 20 days to get ready for Opening Day against the Red Sox on April 1 at Yankee Stadium.

Is it enough time for the 38-year-old Jeter to return from a broken left ankle?

"Twenty days of Derek Jeter in spring training is still better than whatever the alternative we're going to run out there," Cashman said. "Physically he's capable of doing everything, it's just we're being very cautious about how we take him out of the gate."

The Yankees would use Eduardo Nunez or Jayson Nix at shortstop if Jeter can't make the Opening Day deadline.  But don't count on it.

"I don't see any reason why not," Jeter said.  "When I first got here I was a couple of weeks behind.  On that schedule, I don't see why not."

Last preseason Jeter played in only 15 games and had 44 at-bats so his theory isn't that far fetched.

"I think its more of a feel thing, you know when you feel as though you are ready," said Jeets.  "I have  left spring training not feeling good and gotten off to good starts and the opposite too. I don't think there is a number [of at-bats] that you necessarily need."

Asked about breaking in his cleats on the basepaths Saturday, Jeter sounded satisfied.

"My form was good," he said. "It wasn't an all-out sprint.  Like I said, I'm a couple of weeks behind, so it's what I would be doing two weeks ago."

Justin Verlander rubs trainer's head for good luck

After manager Jim Leyland pulled Justin Verlander in the ninth inning of Game 3 of the ALCS against the New York Yankees, the Detroit Tigers starter could only watch as the Yankees started a last inning rally with closer Phil Coke on the mound.

How did the righthanded ace handle the tense moments in the dugout while he watched Coke give up a couple of hits before recording the final two outs — Verlander rubbed trainer Doug Teter's bald head for good luck.

It was pretty funny to see Verlander using the same arm that just threw 131 pitches trying to bring some positive mojo to the Tigers while giving Teter a wax job.

TBS announcer Ernie Johnson joked that "he actually had hair before Verlander started doing that."

If it seemed like Verlander's vigorous hand lingered a little too long — his girlfriend Kate Upton need not be jealous —  the superstitious ritual worked.

The Tigers went on to defeat the Yankees, 2-1, sending the Bronx Bombers to the brink of elimination.  Detroit leads the best-of-seven series 3-0.

Yankees bench A-Rod and Swisher for Game 3

With the New York Yankees offense continuing to sputter, manager Joe Girardi will attempt to jump start his flatlining team by bringing in the bench.  Does he really have a choice?

The Yankees manager made a few radical changes to the lineup — for tonight's Game 3 of the ALCS against the Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander — and announced that he will bench Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher for Eric Chavez and Brett Gardner, respectively.

Throw in Eduardo Nunez — who will play shortstop for the injured Derek Jeter — and ALDS hero Raul Ibanez in the designated hitter spot, and you have to wonder if old George Steinbrenner is rolling in his grave.

The $29 million A-Rod is batting an anemic .130 in the playoffs and has looked hopeless at the plate.  He already rode the pine during Game 5 of the ALDS.

Swisher isn't much better with a .154 average under his playoff belt and a costly error in right field in Game 2.

Gardner will bat leadoff despite only three plate appearances since April 17 — before he underwent elbow surgery.

Here's what tonight's Yankees lineup will look like with Phil Hughes on the mound.

Brett Gardner, LF
Ichiro Suzuki, RF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Robinson Cano, 2B
Raul Ibanez, DH
Russell Martin, C
Eric Chavez, 3B
Curtis Granderson, CF
Eduardo Nunez, SS

Hopefully, for Yankees fans, Jeter will there in spirit.

Cashman, Girardi: Jeter's injury is a big deal

Derek Jeter said his left ankle was well enough for him to play shortstop Friday night — and told Yankees manager Joe Girardi as much.  But he still found himself in the designated hitter slot for a second straight game.

After aggravating the bone bruise Wednesday, while running out a grounder in Boston, Jeter insisted the   injury was "no big deal." The Captain was so insistent he repeated it about half a dozen times to reporters even after he was escorted off the field by Girardi and the team trainer.

Jeter backed up his own diagnosis by getting two more hits last night against the Tampa Bay Rays, but Girardi and general manager Brian Cashman are casting a far darker shadow on Jeter's condition.  Both suggested that their star player's injury could nag him for the rest of the season.

"He's banged up, but he's playing through it," said Cashman before Friday night's game.  "We want him to get better, but it's one of those things it's hard to get better (while you're playing).  I think we're going to have to help him manage it to the degree that we can."

"We have to help someone manage through it, when it's someone who doesn't want help," he added.

Jeter batted lead-off last night and went 2-for-4 with a run — passing Willy Mays for 10th on the all-time hit list — but the hitch in his giddy-up still looked like it could linger the rest of the season.

"I haven't heard the doctor say that, but in my mind, that's what I believe.  It could take a while," said Girardi.  "Could it get better as time goes on?  Sure. But a lot of it probably depends on how he lands on it or lunges.  It could take a while."

Convincing the hobbled Jeter to trade in his shortstop position for the DH spot is already hard enough for his handlers — especially in the midst of a September playoff run — and the GM and manager both know it will take a team effort to keep him from sitting out any games.

"If we want to help Derek Jeter, we have to win as many games as possible, so we can rest him," Cashman said.  "But Derek Jeter would tell you, 'If you want to help me, shut the blank up, let me play, write my name in the lineup and let me get my hits and help us win."

Jeter's fill-in at shortstop, Eduardo Nunez, has played admirably, but still made a crucial error in last night's 6-4 loss.  He misplayed a routine grounder that led to a Rays' insurance run in the ninth inning.  Girardi can only wait and grind his teeth.

"You got to manage the frustration," he said.  "You don't want that one [Nunez's error] to snowball."

Girardi said he would check with the 38-year old Jeter on a daily basis and decide if the injury is really "not an issue."

"I can look him in the eyes and I can usually tell," he said.

While Jeter is itching to get back on the field, he said he won't let his own stubbornness overrule reason — or his bosses.

"I always want to play," he said.  "But I'm going to do what they tell me to do."

"I've told [Girardi] I could play shortstop when he first took me out of shortstop.  Nothing has changed, really," said Jeter.  "I've always said if you're in the lineup, then you don't talk about (injuries)."

Umpire takes line drive to knee cap and still makes call

An umpire's quick decision can be the difference between an extra base hit and an out, but sometimes the result is because he can't move fast enough.  New York Yankees batter Eduardo Nunez found that out Friday night after he was robbed of a double during the fifth-inning of the Yankees-Rays game when he laced a blistering line drive into the third base ump.

Third base umpire Jerry Meals took the rocket to the kneecap and still made the fair-ball call.

You can't question Meals' toughness after he tried to jump out of the way and still got whacked. The stoic umpire let out a quiet "Ow" but never rubbed his knee or halted the game.



The Yankees should have been the ones saying 'Ow." Nunez — subbing at shortstop for Derek Jeter — had a sure double taken away while the Yankees trailed in the crucial AL East game, 3-1.  Nunez would have been standing at second with no outs and the leadoff batter Jeter stepping up to the plate but instead, he was stranded at first.  The Yankees didn't score.

If anything, the play showed that the old guy Meals still has some hops.

A-Rod Will Be Yankees X-Factor In ALDS

If you ask Alex Rodriguez, his surgically-repaired right knee and sprained left thumb are fine and sitting out last night's season finale against the Tampa Bay Rays was just precautionary.  The New York Yankees third baseman made it clear that he intends on being in the lineup tomorrow night for Game 1 of the ALDS against the Detroit Tigers.

Last week, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that one of his intentions was to get A-Rod a full week of at-bats to get him ready for the upcoming series.  Last night, all he got was a session in the batting cage.

"I was going to go out and take one or two at-bats, but we felt it was probably smarter to stay off the turf for one night," Rodriguez said.  "Turf is always an issue when you play multiple days back-to-back.  there was just a little soreness, but it's all the turf.  Since surgery, I haven't felt any pain or discomfort."

If it's not the knee, maybe it's the thumb.

There must be some reason he is hitting .171 (6-for-35) with one home run and six RBI's over his last 10 games.  Not exactly boot-shaking numbers.

Rodriguez, missed six games from Sept. 10 to Sept. 16 after the thumb flared up but hitting coach Kevin Long believes his aging charge is not favoring the knee or the thumb.

"His timing is off," said Long.  "We are working with his leg kick and and getting better pitches to hit.  As long as he is healthy, he can help us at the next level."

The next level is exactly where the Yankees will need A-Rod's help.

Just because the Yankees are loaded with power doesn't mean A-Rod is expendable.  The team did lose the last four "meaningless" games of the season.

For the Yankees to battle the Tigers' 1-2 punch of Justin Verlander and Doug Fister, Rodriguez will have to revert back to his 2009 form.  Remember when the slugger carried the Yankees to the World Series with his first certifiable monstrous postseason?  During that run, he hit .455 in the ALDS and .429 in the ALCS with five home runs and 12 RBI's.

This year, the 36 year-old Rodriguez finished this regular season by playing in the fewest games of his career (99) with a .276 average and career lows in home runs (16) and RBI's (62).  Not prototypical cleanup numbers.

If the Yankees can't depend on Rodriguez to be their big time bat, they have other offensive power at their disposal.  Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano have combined for 108 home runs and an impressive 348 RBI's, but combine them with a robust A-Rod and you have the Roar Four.

All three of those players have been shuffled between the No. 3, 4 and 5 spots all season, but now with Granderson safely ensconced in the No. 2 slot, it's up to A-Rod to be No. 4 and make it more difficult for the Tigers pitchers to go around anyone in the middle of the lineup.

If Rodriguez is not healthy, Girardi will have to choose between either rookie Eduardo Nunez or veteran Eric Chavez.

Nunez is more of an offensive threat over the slumping Chavez--  although the fresh legs that gave Nunez 22 stolen bases belong to the same inexperienced head which made numerous mental errors in the field.  The youngster has 22 errors and, in the playoffs where every play counts, that's a real concern.

Chavez, on the other hand, is flawless Gold Glove infielder who has been known to get timely hits but has faded down the stretch.

Both are capable, if not dangerous, replacements if Rodriguez's physical ailments continue to pester him.  A bigger concern could be A-Rod's head.

After his sensational playoffs two years ago, A-Rod withered back to his old big-game habits.

He followed up 2009's breakout postseason play with a dismal outing last year against the Texas Rangers-- batting .190 with 2 RBI's in 25 plate appearances.

"I don't really have a concern about him [Rodriguez]," said Girardi about last night's sitting.  "The turf can do that to you sometimes.  He'll be ready to go (tomorrow)."

Now the hurting Rodriguez faces another October.  Which A-Rod will show up?

Girardi Pieces Together Yankees Playoff Clinching Monster

New York Yankees starter Phil Hughes was scratched today due to back spasms and manager Joe Girardi did a masterful job of piecing together a mosaic of pitchers to help the team beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 4-2, and clinch a playoff berth this afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees trailed for seven innings until Eduardo Nunez smashed a solo home run into the left field seats to tie the game at two.  Brett Gardner and Derek Jeter followed with singles and Robinson Cano doubled to give the Yankees a 4-2 lead they would hang on to.

Less than a work of art, Girardi created a sort of Frankenstein starter by using the arms of seven different pitchers through eight innings-- to make up for the loss of Hughes and not upset the rotation-- before Mariano Rivera came in to get the save in the ninth.

The managers' creation would go toe-to-toe with Rays starter James Shields who allowed one run and four hits through seven innings-- using one spare part after another.

The head of Girardi's monster was Hector Noesi who was making his first Major League start.  Noesi lasted 2.2 innings and gave up four hits and allowed the only two runs Tampa Bay would score.

After that, the mad scientist Girardi would stitch in Raul Valdes for 1.1 innings.  Valdes allowed one hit and stymied the Rays with three strikeouts.

Next, Girardi would utilize George Kontos, Aaron Laffey, Corey Wade and Boone Logan in small roles until the seventh.  Each of those pitchers, except Wade, would go 0.2 innings and allow a single hit apiece.  Wade would last 1.1 innings.

Luis Ayala (2-2) struck out two Rays batters for the final outs in the eighth and was the beneficiary of the Yankees three-run eighth.

Mariano Rivera came in and got the last three Rays hitters out for his 44th save of the season and No. 603 for his career.

The Yankees clinched a playoff berth today for the 16th time in the last 17 years.  The come-from-behind victory put the team 6 1/2 games in front of the second place Boston Red Sox.

Shields (15-12) got the devastating loss; which dropped the Rays 2 1/2 games behind the Sox in the wild card race with only eight games left.  The team has now lost 5-out-of-9 and looks like it is running out of steam.

The only bad news for the Yankees was the updated condition of Hughes back spasms.  After the game, Girardi was asked if the scheduled starter's injury was serious.

"Hughes went for an MRI," he reluctantly told the YES network.  "I think he went for an MRI."

 Dr. Girardistein now has to hit the laboratory and put together a four-man playoff rotation.  Where's Igor when you need him?

Surprised Kid Catches Game-Tying Home Run As Yankees Clinch Playoff Berth

A slightly apprehensive, but persistent kid, who caught Eduardo Nunez's game-tying home run at Yankee Stadium this afternoon looked totally shocked that the ball even landed in his glove.

The Tampa Bay Rays were leading the New York Yankees, 2-1,  and Rays starter James Shields was cruising along through eight innings until Nunez smacked the ball into the left field seats.

The solo shot sailed over the wall and through the outstretched hands of other fans into the possession of the closed eyes and open mitt of the youngster to tie the game.  Little did he know the homer would help the Yankees clinch a playoff spot.

Later in the same inning, the Yankees Robinson Cano doubled in Brett Gardner and Derek Jeter to give New York a 4-2 lead.

The Yankees used seven pitchers before Mariano Rivera came in to close the ninth and get save No. 603.

The win helped the Yankees clinch at least a playoff berth and the demoralizing loss hurts the Rays chances to catch the Boston Red Sox.

Derek Jeter's Return Is A Yankee Doodle Quandary

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter makes his long-awaited return to the team against the Cleveland Indians today, after rehabbing his strained calf since June 13.  Jeter haters have already begun sharpening their daggers and picking spots to poke the Yankees aging star when he comes back.

It's seems almost fitting that Jeter continues his quest for his milestone 3,000th hit on the Fourth of July--George Steinbrenner's birthday.  All that's missing are a brass band, Yogi and Yankee Stadium bunting.

Jeter's return does not come without controversy and will shake up the line-ups for the Yankees and American League, respectively.

The Yankees icon went on the 15-day DL while slumping in the midst of his worst season start.  The 37-year-old Jeter was batting .260 with 2 home runs and a pedestrian on-base percentage of .324.  Not exactly great lead-off statistics or All-Star numbers.

Oh wait, Jeter is an All-Star.  We'll get to that later.

Jeter's replacement at shortstop, Eduardo Nunez, just came off an eye-opening offensive performance  in the weekend series against the New York Mets.  Nunez went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a home-run in game two.

Nunez's offensive numbers are a slight improvement over Jeter's but it's his fresh legs and potential for improvement that keep him in the mix.   He has 10 stolen bases.

Nunez's defensive skills are just plain offensive and there is room for a lot of improvement there. The replacement player has turned even the simplest ground ball to short into an adventure.  Nunez already has eight errors and would probably have a couple more if it wasn't for the exquisite glove work of first baseman Mark Teixeira.  Still, yesterday's Yankees shortstop, Ramiro Pena, had fans longing for Nunez on the field.  Pena's two throwing errors cost the Yankees a victory at Citi Field

Nunez will probably never have the season Jeter had in 2009, when the then-35 year-old Jeter was third in the AL MVP voting, but the potential for a valuable offensive weapon in Nunez is there.

Then there is the problem with The Captain's replacement in the leadoff spot-- Brett Gardner.  The speedy left-fielder has cooled off in the past week but has provided the Yankees with a racehorse on the base paths and makes watching the Yankees more fun to watch.  He has 20 steals.

Now to the quandary pertaining to Jeter's return and the tough decisions manager Joe Girardi will have to address directly with the prideful Jeter:  Where does the aging superstar fit in?  A lot has happened over the past three weeks.

It's a given that Jeter will immediately return to the lead-off spot, at least until he gets the historic number 3,000, but how long will that feat take and does Jeter's return shake the Yankees from their recent winning streak.  The team did go 14-4 without Jeter putting on pinstripes, so questions about life after 3,000 will persist.

Does Girardi drop Jeter in the order after the big hit or does he take a wait-and-see attitude.  Who knows, maybe after the pressure of getting his 3,000th hit, Jeter's mojo could return.

Gardner's and Nick Swisher's numbers were pretty bad up until a few weeks ago, and there were calls for their heads.  Girardi didn't cave in to pressure and his decision to let them play has paid off handsomely during the current streak.

Another concern is Jeter himself.  Will the player who reluctantly went on the DL for the first time since 2003 publicly admit his calf is still bothering him--especially after all the success the team has had without him.  It's hard to imagine Jeter putting himself in rehab ever again.

Jeter was never a player known to whine about or pull himself from playing due to an injury. A trait many admire in a youthful player but could this same stoicism hinder or permanently disable an older Jeter's return.  Players who have suffered the same injury claim Jeter, by pushing up his return date, could actually cause more bad than good by a premature return.

While Jeter massaged his sore calf in Tampa, it must have pained him more to see the Yankees kicking the National League's butt and overtake the Boston Red Sox for first place in the AL East.  Odds are high, if the calf is slowing Jeter down, he will play through the pain until Girardi pulls the plug.

Expect to see more fireworks after tonight.  Here's how Jeter's return will all pan out.

First, Jeter returns to the lead-off spot and gets his 3,000th hit at home against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday July 8.  He slumps in mid-July and gets bumped down in the line-up and takes the demotion like a man.  Nunez watches from the dugout because there is no way Jeter is going to sit while the Yankees make a playoff run.

To all the Jeter-haters who think his All-Star selection is a farce due to his numbers and injury-shortened season, get over it.  Fans voted him in and want to see the Yankee icon take a bow at the ceremonial game.  It could be his last.

Jeter will proudly attends his 12th All-Star game with his 3,000th hit firmly behind him and the starting shortstop position and lead-off spot for the Yankees in hand, only not as tightly.

Jeter went 1-for-2 yesterday in a rehab game for the Trenton Thunder.  he had a bunt-single, a walk and a throwing error.  He wasn't pleased with his final game before returning to the Yankees.  He left the game after six innings to catch a flight to Cleveland.

"I got through it," said Jeter about his time on the DL.  "How about that?'

Life Without Derek Jeter Ain't So Bad For The Yankees

It's only been a week since Derek Jeter strained his calf muscle and the Yankees had the monumental task of placing The Captain and his quest for his 3,000th base hit on ice.  Jeter reluctantly went on the 15-day DL and now the Yankees seem to be sailing along nicely without their team leader.

The Yankees have scored 42 runs, including a sweep of last year's AL Champs the Texas Rangers to go 5-1 while Jeter treats his calf down in Tampa. 

Jeter's replacement, 24 year-old Eduardo Nunez, isn't Derek Jeter circa 1998, but has handled himself adequately at the plate.  In 77 at-bats, Nunez has knocked in 11 runs with two home-runs and eight stolen bases.

Jeter, before he went down, had 20 RBI's, two homers and seven stolen bases in 262 plate appearances.

The 24 year-old Nunez won't remind anyone of Ozzie Smith in the field.  Every ground ball hit to short is an adventure with Nunez.  On Saturday, he muffed a double-play grounder for his eighth error in 37 games.  First basemen Mark Teixeira has probably saved half-a-dozen careless throwing errors from fumbling Nunez already.

Derek Jeter On DL For Now; Could Jose Reyes End Up In Pinstripes?

The decision to place Derek Jeter on the 15-day DL has given the New York Yankees a possible glimpse into the future and opened up a giant can of worms for the team.  If Jeter wasn't chasing his mythical 3,000th hit, some Yankee fans might secretly call his tweaked calf a blessing in disguise.

While the Yankees put Jeter's historic milestone on hold, Eduardo Nunez gets 12 games to audition for the future shortstop opening and Brett Gardner moves to the lead-off spot.  These changes might highlight the glaring deficiencies the Yankees captain has displayed this season.

Like it or not, there is already talk about the Yankees trading for shortstop Jose Reyes from their cross-town counterparts, and cash-starved, New York Mets.

That sound you just heard is a mixture of Yankee fans wincing and Mets fans throwing up a little.