Jeter out until after All-Star break

NEW YORK -- The Yankees will be without Derek Jeter until at least the All-Star break, as the team announced on Thursday that a CT scan revealed a small fracture in the shortstop's surgically repaired left ankle.

Jeter has been slowed by recurring discomfort in recent days, and he traveled to Charlotte, N.C., to be seen by Dr. Robert Anderson, who performed Jeter's initial surgery after his ankle was shattered in last year's American League Championship Series against the Tigers.

"They did a new CT scan, which revealed a small crack in the area of the previous injury," general manager Brian Cashman said. "We have to back off and let that heal. This is obviously a setback."

Cashman said that Anderson does not expect Jeter to need another surgical procedure after he had a metal plate and screws inserted to stabilize his ankle in October. Cashman said the doctor reassured him that "95 percent of the people that have this come back from it fine."

Jeter, 38, had been working out at the Yankees' Minor League complex in Tampa, Fla., but he wasn't able to play in a game since March 23, which followed a spring setback that required a cortisone injection.

"He is obviously the toughest one we've ever had," Cashman said. "You know when Derek Jeter continues to have issues that don't go away, you know that means more than just your typical something."

Manager Joe Girardi said after the club's 6-2 loss to the D-backs that he was disappointed to learn of Jeter's injury.

"It's not what we wanted, that's for sure," Girardi said. "I know it's extremely disappointing for him, because he's so used to being here with us. It's something that we're going to have fight through. Some guys are really going to have to step up in his absence and hopefully we'll get him back sometime after the All-Star break."

Jeter took ground balls and batting practice on Wednesday in Tampa, and Cashman said that Thursday's CT scan -- the third scan that Jeter has had since the surgery -- showed a fracture that was not present in the first two.

"His prior two CT scans showed the healing and 100 percent healing," Cashman said. "He wasn't cleared for baseball activities and he wasn't cleared to play until he had 100 percent healing.

"This is a new fracture, but a small one. I guess that's the only good part, they kept saying the word, 'Small.' It's a setback, so it's not a good situation."

Cashman said that Jeter is taking the negative news "like a pro" and has vowed to be back on a field in four to six weeks. In the meantime, the Yankees must plug on without Jeter in the picture.

"It's tough, but we haven't had him yet," outfielder Brett Gardner said. "When you don't have guys, you can't really count on them to come back. You've just got to make do with what you've got. I feel like we've been playing pretty good baseball so far and we'll try to keep it going."

With Jeter sidelined, Cashman said that the Yankees will continue to field a shortstop tandem of Eduardo Nunez and Jayson Nix.

"We're going to stay as we are. Those guys have done a nice job," Cashman said. "I'm happy with Nixy and I'm happy with Nuney, but I would be happier with Derek."