Jeter slated to see game action on Thursday

TAMPA -- Yankees captain Derek Jeter will make his Spring Training debut on Thursday against the Pirates at George M. Steinbrenner Field, manager Joe Girardi said Sunday.

Jeter ran the bases for the first time during Sunday's workout, leading the group of position players during a drill on the main field at Steinbrenner Field.

"Everything's good," Jeter said after the workout.

The Yankees open up their Spring Training schedule Tuesday against Florida State University and play the Pirates in Bradenton, Fla., on Wednesday, but Girardi said he wanted Jeter to run the bases another time before taking the field.

Jeter said he was looking forward to getting back on the field for the first game of his final year in the Majors and his first one since Sept. 7.

"It's been a while since I played a game, so I think everyone looks forward the first game in Spring Training. You want to get games under your belt," Jeter said. "I'm looking forward to it, but don't rush it. I told you, one day at a time. Let me enjoy the rest of today."

Girardi also said he began the process Sunday of figuring out who will be a part of the Yankees' visit to Panama on March 15-16. Jeter was pretty sure he will make the trip -- hardly a surprise, considering his relationship with Mariano Rivera, who will be honored in the pair of exhibition games at Panama City's Rod Carew Stadium.

On that note, Jeter joked, he has a trip in mind for the Yankees come Spring Training 2015, after he retires.

"We're going to Kalamazoo next year," Jeter said, referring to his hometown in Michigan. "My old high school team."