Jeter in limbo until next visit with doctor

TAMPA, Fla. -- Derek Jeter returned Thursday to the Yankees' Minor League complex, where he will continue to rehab his fractured left ankle. But he can't take the next step in his recovery until next week, at the earliest.

The Yankees captain is scheduled to fly to Charlotte, N.C., next week to meet with his surgeon and undergo a CT scan. Until then, he can't do much more than play catch, do some cardiovascular exercises and go through physical therapy.

"I have no news, none. Can't do anything different till I see the doctor, so there's absolutely no news from me," Jeter said. "I wish, but I got nothing. I mean, I wish I could do more, but I can't until I go to the doctor."

When Jeter spoke to reporters in New York last week, he mentioned that he hoped to field ground balls hit directly at him before that appointment with Dr. Robert Anderson, but he said Thursday that he hasn't done so yet.

He suffered the initial ankle fracture during Game 1 of the 2012 American League Championship Series. He planned to be ready by Opening Day, but his ankle didn't heal as expected. He later discovered a new break in his foot, which assumedly occurred shortly before he was scratched from a Spring Training game March 19 in Clearwater, Fla. Since then, he has refrained from setting a new timetable for his return.

He plans to remain in Tampa until his appointment in Charlotte. After that, he hopes to return to the complex on Himes Avenue with a little more encouraging news than he had to offer Thursday.

"I really do wish I had an update," he said.