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."

Jeter on course for Yankees Opening Day lineup

The last time we saw Derek Jeter he was hobbling around with his dad sporting a protective boot at a Knicks game inside Madison Square Garden back in December.

The Captain is no longer wearing the clunky fashion accessory on his surgically repaired left ankle and is "doing well," according to Brian Cashman, and remains right on schedule to play on Opening Day.

Jeter has begun walking and jogging on an underwater treadmill at the Yankees' Tampa complex.

"He's not running yet," the Yankees general manager said Monday. "The last thing he'll do is run."

The Yankees open the season in the Bronx on April 1.  Pitchers and catchers report to spring training  on Feb. 12 and full camp opens five days later.  This gives the Jeter — who turns 39 in June — about six weeks to rehab and get his game legs back.

"Sometime later this month, he'll get on the field doing baseball stuff,' said Cashman.  "He's not there yet, but he's doing well."

Jeter could miss 4-5 months after surgery

The New York Yankees have announced that Derek Jeter has elected to have surgery on his fractured left ankle and is expected to need approximately four to five months for a complete recovery, according to the team's website.

The Yankees captain — who broke his ankle going left for a ground ball in New York's loss to the Detroit Tigers in Game 1 of the American league Championship Series — is scheduled to have the surgery performed by foot and ankle specialist Dr. Robert Anderson on Saturday in Charlotte, N.C..

Jeter — who has been fitted with a splint and using crutches — did not travel with the team to Detroit for the ALCS and spent the last few days getting an MRI and CT scan in Charlotte.

Doctors initially said that the 38-year-old Jeter could rejoin the Yankees within three months and believed there would be enough recovery time for him to make training camp in February.

Five months of  recovery and rehab would delay his return until sometime in the middle of the Grapefruit League exhibition schedule.  Any setbacks could postpone his return and possibly put his Opening Day status in jeopardy.

The team still expects Jeter to be ready for spring training.  You can bet Jeter does.