Running bases may be Jeter's final step

ARLINGTON -- Yankees captain Derek Jeter took batting practice and ground balls again on Wednesday as he attempts to rejoin the team in time for Saturday's game against the Rays.

Jeter, 39, has run sprints the last two days but has not yet been cleared to run the bases. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that Jeter would likely take that step on Friday, which calls into question if Jeter would be ready to play on Saturday.

"Nothing's out of the question, but I'm not so sure we'll see him Saturday," Girardi said. "You've got to be able to run at 100 percent and know there's no soreness, no pain, and that everything works proper."

Girardi was asked if Jeter, who is rehabbing a strained right quadriceps, might need to go back on a Minor League rehab assignment before returning.

"We haven't gotten that far yet," Girardi said.