MLB

Jeter ‘close’ to rehab stint, return to Yankees

TAMPA — Alex Rodriguez isn’t the only high-priced Yankee inching closer to a return to The Bronx.

Derek Jeter is right behind him.

The Captain said he is “close” to beginning a rehabilitation assignment after a workout at the Yankees minor league complex yesterday morning.

“I’m anxious to play in games,” he said.

Jeter said he will begin to do so “when [the Yankees] tell me.” General manager Brian Cashman wouldn’t set a date, but told The Post “he’s doing real well. He’s really progressing well.”

“I’ve always been itching to get back out there,” Jeter said. “Soon as they allow me to play, I’ll be out there.”

On Wednesday, Jeter took six simulated at-bats and ran the bases after each one for the first time and said “everything’s good” with his broken left ankle.

“I’ve hurt my legs before. It’s like anytime you’re hurt. Just got to get back out there and do it,” he said. “It’s not that big of an issue.”

The 13-time All-Star hasn’t played this season after breaking his ankle in the playoffs last fall. After surgery, he sustained another fracture during an abbreviated rehab in April.

The Yankees are on their fifth shortstop, recently signing former Dodger Luis Cruz. In addition to Jeter’s season-long absence, Eduardo Nunez has been out with an oblique injury and is currently on his own rehabilitation assignment. Jayson Nix went on the disabled list on Wednesday with a hamstring strain.

“I’m getting close, yes I am,” Jeter said. “Everything I can do to get up to that point, I’ve done.”

* Outfielder Curtis Granderson isn’t nearly as close as Jeter to returning. He swung a pipe 20 times under water, and said his left broken pinkie finger feels fine since a metal pin was taken out two weeks ago. The next step is to swing a short bat under water, then with weights on a short bat under water before progressing to batting practice, according to Granderson.

Additional reporting by George A. King III in Minneapolis