Derek Jeter (AP)
FIELD OF DREAMS: Derek Jeter flips to second base last night against the Phillies in his first spring training game since fracturing his left ankle in the postseason last October. (AP (2))
TAMPA — Jorge Posada squatting behind the plate would have made for a Core Four reunion last night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Derek Jeter started his first game at shortstop since being carried out of Yankee Stadium with a fractured left ankle on Oct. 13.
Andy Pettitte made his spring debut and Mariano Rivera hurled a perfect frame in a second exhibition appearance.
While it did very little to alleviate the fact Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Curtis Granderson and possibly Phil Hughes won’t be available Opening Day, the presence of Jeter, Pettitte and Rivera was welcome.
Even though Jeter handled one ground ball in four frames and went 0-for-3 and walked in a 6-2 Yankees victory over the Phillies, the night served him well.
Pettitte admitted his command needs to improve, but in three innings he allowed a run and four hits.
Rivera needed nine pitches to record three outs and continues to show no signs that last June he underwent reconstructive right knee surgery.
“The goal is April 1 and there are steps along the way and there are other things you have to do,’’ Jeter said. “It’s a starting point.’’
PHOTOS: YANKEES SPRING TRAINING
Because he has been told the bone is healed, Jeter doesn’t worry about it. He understands there is going to be soreness in the foot and lower leg.
“There is normal soreness that you have to play with,’’ Jeter said. “I haven’t done it in quite some time. As long as the bone is healed the soreness [around the ankle] should go away.’’
Never one to enjoy a day off during the regular season, Jeter was out of place coming to a clubhouse for games he knew he wasn’t going to participate in.
“It’s always fun to get back out there,’’said Jeter, who was the DH in the two games he played before last night. “It’s awkward coming in all the time and you are not playing.’’
The sight of Jeter being carried off the field last October was as stark as it was surprising. Jeter rarely admits he is hurt and the sight of him being helped sent an immediate message that he was seriously injured.
An offseason spent rehabbing the ankle didn’t guarantee he would arrive at last night but manager Joe Girardi knew he would see Jeter at short in March.
“I did, just knowing Derek,” said Girardi, who batted Jeter leadoff against lefty Cliff Lee. “We obviously knew he had an issue when we had to take him off the field like that. But I just felt like he would be ready.’’
As for Pettitte, he was pleased to face hitters not wearing the same clothes he was.
“It’s good to see some guys in different uniforms,’’ said Pettitte, whose next start is Monday in a minor league game. “As far as stuff-wise, it was great. I felt my command was nowhere near where I wanted.’’
Rivera was happy he had to break toward first base on the final out of the fifth inning but didn’t need that to convince him his knee is healed.
“It’s just a matter to get ready for the season,’’ Rivera said. “I have no worries.’’
Jeter’s true test will come when the Yankees open the season at Yankee Stadium against the Red Sox on April 1. By then it won’t be about Jeter making it back from a serious injury. Instead, he will be expected to be Jeter and to help prop up a lineup that won’t have Rodriguez, Teixeira and Granderson.
However, seeing Jeter at short last night provided a dose of symbolism.
Said Girardi of his captain, “It’s big for what he means on the field and in the clubhouse.”