A-Rod at Yankee Stadium Opening Day but not in pre-game intros

If you thought you saw Alex Rodriguez wearing his New York Yankees uniform and lurking around the dugout during Monday's Opening Day ceremonies at Yankee Stadium— you are correct.

The ailing slugger made his long-awaited reunion with his Yankees teammates after undergoing hip surgery this winter but was not introduced to the fans during pre-game festivities.

According to Yankee officials, A-Rod made the decision to not take part in the introductions — even though the injured Mark Teixeira donned pinstripes and garnered a round of applause.

"It was his [Rodriguez] decision," Yankee spokesperson Jason Zillo said, "He preferred not to be introduced."

Rodriguez told reporters he didn't "need to be introduced to feel like I'm part of this team." Asked if he wanted to be introduced, the third baseman said, "I'll tell you what — when I get introduced, I want to be on the field and not look back."

It would have been Rodriguez's first public appearance in front of Yankees fans since last October, undergoing the January operation and being linked to the Biogenesis anti-aging clinic in Miami.

A suspension, not the hip surgery, might keep A-Rod from getting that introduction longer than the injury.

Rodriguez admitted before the game that he has met with the player's association about the investigation into Biogenesis but declined to go into details.

"I'm not going to comment on that, he said. "We put out a statement and we'll definetly stick by that."

A-Rod said his rehab from the surgery was going well, but refused to comment on whether or not the Yankees would be voiding the rest of his five-year, $114 million contract.

He put no dates on his return timetable either.

"It's too early to determine that right now," said Rodriguez — who knows it will be at least July before he comes back but insists he intends to be back this season. "That's the plan, absolutely."

Derek Jeter sent to minors to back-date potential DL stint

The next time fans see Derek Jeter in action it won't even be on the Off-Broadway stage of Steinbrenner Field — at least during spring training.

The Yankees shortstop — who has been nursing his inflamed left ankle for the past three days — is looking to return to action and, if he does, it will be in minor league games at the team's training complex across the street from the ballpark.

That's Off-Off-Broadway in New York City circles.

The Yankees aren't taking chances that Jeter might end up opening the season on the disabled list.  By sending him to the minors it would allow the Yankees to back-date Jeter's potential stint on the DL the maximum 10 days. Meaning Jeter would be eligible to return to the Yankees' fifth game of the regular-season — as long as he doesn't play in another Grapefruit League game.

With that scenario in mind, general manger Brian Cashman said Thursday that Jeter would be limited to minor league games the rest of the way no matter how well his ankle responds in the coming days.

Despite the "cranky" ankle,  Jeter is still focused on being on the Opening Day roster at Yankee Stadium.

"I think we need to preserve the ability to back-date him in the event that he's not going to make it," Cashman said.

Jeter was scratched from the lineup Tuesday in Clearwater after experiencing increased stiffness in his ankle, though an MRI revealed only mild inflammation. He received a cortisone shot on Wednesday.

Jeter said his ankle felt much better after the injection, leaving him hopeful that he would return to the practice field as soon as Friday. Although Cashman and Joe Girardi both called this week's events a setback for Jeter, the Captain said he doesn't view it the same way.

"I wouldn't call it a setback; it's what's supposed to happen," Jeter said. "That's what I've been told. The last couple of days I talked to the doc, and he said it's supposed to happen. It's all normal. Everything is fine. Ligaments, bone, everything is perfect. It's just, that's what happens after you have surgery.

"I told you guys, my goal is Opening Day. It doesn't change. Nothing has changed from my point of view."

Cashman won't rule out Jeter starting season on DL

Derek Jeter was out of the New York Yankees lineup for the second consecutive day Wednesday because of inflammation in his surgically-repaired left ankle.

The shortstop received a shot of cortisone Wednesday morning after he reported stiffness a day earlier and will be sitting out a few more days.

While Jeter tries to rebound from the broken ankle in time for Opening Day, general manager Brian Cashman is already bracing for the possibility of Jeter starting the season on the disabled list.

"I can't rule it out," Cashman said Wednesday.

When asked about Jeter's readiness for the April 1 game against the Boston Red Sox Cashman said, "I don't know yet.

"The season's starting to approach. I know if you ask him it would be a certainty but in fairness I don't know yet."

The Yankees consulted with the doctors that performed the surgery on Jeter's ankle last October.

"It's not a surprise," Cashman said about the setback.  "Eventually at some point ... he'll be past it."

Jeter was told the same thing.

"From everything I've been told by the doctors," said Jeter about the inflamed ankle. "This is normal."

Eduardo Nunez would take over at shortstop if Jeter is unable to play.

Posada making return to Yankee Stadium sooner than expected

New York Yankees fans who never got a chance to wish former-Yankees catcher Jorge Posada a final "Hip Hip Jorge!" will get a chance to do just that— only sooner than expected.

Tomorrow, Posada will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Bronx Bombers' home opener at Yankee Stadium.  This makes it Posada's 17th straight appearance at a home opener on the field— only this time he will not be in a uniform.

The team will welcome back the only member of the Core Four still not with the team after spending his entire 16-year career in pinstripes.

"I think it's going to be all kind of emotional, knowing Jorge," said his longtime teammate Mariano Rivera. "At the same time, he'll be happy.  We'll be happy.  I will be happy to see him."

The borderline Hall of Fame catcher will be on the mound and toss the first pitch before the Yankees host Albert Pujols and the Los Angeles Angels at 1:05 pm on Friday.  The pre-game festivities start at 12:40.

Posada, 40, will feted Thursday night with the "Pride of the Yankees Award" at the team's 2012 Homecoming Dinner.  Surprisingly, Posada will be only the 11th former Yankees player to do the honor including Mike Mussina, Bernie Williams, Yogi Berra, Reggie Jackson, Whitey Ford, Phil Rizzuto, Mel Stottlemyre, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Bob Shawkey.

Posada's appearance so soon after retiring is kind of a surprise.  Most players usually wait a couple of years before making a grand re-entrance and most insiders thought Posada would go that route.