Jeter plays in third straight rehab game with no issues
Yankees' captain reaches base twice, scores run, makes three plays at short
MOOSIC, Pa. -- While his night proved hitless, rehabbing Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter looked more than comfortable running the bases and in the field for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday. Jeter reached base twice, scored a run and made three plays at short in the RailRiders' 6-3 win over Rochester.
The increase in chances defensively provided yet another milestone in Jeter's rehab as he faced the Twins' top affiliate in his third contest.
"Most things that I would do in a game, I've already worked on," said Jeter to the media following his exit after the fifth inning. "It's a little bit different, because you never know what's going to happen in a game, but I feel as though I've tested my ankle."
The early returns are very positive for Jeter and his ankle, as he played his third consecutive game with the RailRiders without the benefit of a day off.
"I feel good, there's been no issues whatsoever," Jeter said. "I had to run a lot [tonight], and everything felt good."
Jeter began the ballgame for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre by hitting a grounder to Rochester shortstop Doug Bernier. The former Yankees farmhand's throw was in the dirt, and Jeter beat it out. Bernier was charged with an error on the play. Catching prospect J.R. Murphy then singled, and Jeter went first to third with a feet-first slide into the bag.
In the top of the second, Jeter wowed a sold-out PNC Field when he received a throw from Murphy to retire a runner at second base. It forced Jeter to cut back to his right, and then lunge at Deibinson Romero, who was tagged out by Jeter.
The captain fell behind against Rochester starter Andrew Albers in his second at-bat. He was down 0-2, but worked a walk. He moved to second on another single by Murphy, and then scored from second base without a throw home on Randy Ruiz's single.
Jeter ended his night at the plate with a routine ground ball to third base. He hustled up the line, and the throw from Romero only beat him by a step.
With the RailRiders playing a day game on Tuesday, Jeter will have the day off. He'll return to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre lineup on Wednesday and will be back at shortstop. It is unclear at this time how long he'll play Wednesday, or how much longer his stay in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre will be. Based on the captain's comments the first three days of his rehab stay, the choice will most likely be his own.