TAMPA — Derek Jeter ran outside Thursday for the first time since a second fracture was discovered in his surgically-repaired left ankle in April, something even the ever-cautious shortstop admitted was an important hurdle to cross.
When asked if he could see the light at the end of the tunnel in his rehab, Jeter said: “I’ve always seen the light, but it’s a constant progression and that’s the last step. I’ve done everything else.”
Well, almost.
He’ll eventually have to start agility drills before running the arc around the bases and then the bases themselves, but so far, Jeter said his ankle “felt fine. No problems whatsoever.”
Jeter, who turned 39 Wednesday, is looking to avoid the setback that occurred on March 19, when he began experiencing stiffness that lead to the discovery of the second fracture.
Sitting in his car at the team’s minor league complex, Jeter added he began running inside “a while ago.”
Since he was burned once before when he said he wanted to be back from the injury suffered during Game 1 of the ALCS against Detroit in October by Opening Day, Jeter has declined to use timetables again- about pretty much anything.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to run the bases soon,” said Jeter, who worked out with Alex Rodriguez at Steinbrenner Field. “I don’t know when that is. [It’s] when they tell me. I go day-to-day.”
And while the Yankees and Rodriguez bicker about when the third baseman might begin playing rehab games, Jeter would only say, “As soon as possible.”
Having just returned to running outside, it could still be some time.
“As soon as I can get out there, I’ll get out there,” Jeter said. “If they tell me I can play tomorrow, I’ll play tomorrow. But we haven’t gotten that far yet.”
He doesn’t anticipate any more visits to the doctor.
“From what I understand, I don’t have to see the doctor anymore,” Jeter said. “Unless it’s something they want to do.”