Feeling no pain, Jeter sprints, takes BP

ARLINGTON -- Yankees captain Derek Jeter joined a batting practice group at Rangers Ballpark on Tuesday, his first time hitting on the field since straining his right quadriceps.

"It's the first step," Jeter said. "That's the key, is you don't want to feel it, and I don't feel it."

Jeter also ran about a half-dozen sprints in the outfield and fielded ground balls hit directly at him near the lip of the infield before Tuesday's game against the Rangers.

The 39-year-old Jeter has not yet been cleared to run the bases and said that he no longer feels discomfort in his right quad, which suffered a Grade 1 strain in his only game of the season, on July 11.

"I'm sure I'll do more [Wednesday]," Jeter said.

The shortstop hopes to come off the 15-day disabled list the first day that he is eligible, Saturday against the Rays at Yankee Stadium.