TAMPA — The final lap of Derek Jeter’s sensational career begins with a boatload of questions.
How many games can he play at shortstop? How much can he be used as the designated hitter? Where will Jeter hit in manager Joe Girardi’s order? How will he perform?
“He will basically determine that by how he is doing and how he is feeling,’’ Girardi said Friday at George M. Steinbrenner Field, on the day pitchers and catchers reported. “Obviously as a manager, you would love to run Derek Jeter out there every day, but we know that’s not the case. It will be constant communication like it has been the last few years.’’
Jeter, who announced Wednesday this will be the final season of a 20-year career, appeared in 17 games last season because of ankle and leg problems and will turn 40 in June.
The Yankees expect him to play shortstop, but unlike most of his years in the big leagues, they can’t predict what they are going to get from the Captain, who is 10th on the all-time hit list with 3,316.
With ticket buyers clamoring for a last live glimpse of Jeter, Girardi was asked how he will resist overplaying him.
“I will do what’s best for our team and what’s best for him,’’ said Girardi, who has Brendan Ryan and Eduardo Nunez to use behind Jeter. “He is going to play as much as he is capable of playing. We want him out there every day. I know it won’t be every day but I want to run him out there most of the time. I have to do what is best. I kind of had to deal with it with Mo [Mariano Rivera] a little bit and I had to deal with it with Andy [Pettitte] a little bit and do what’s best for our club.’’
As for where Girardi will bat Jeter in the lineup, he wouldn’t commit to second behind Jacoby Ellsbury.
“That would be the ideal thing, if you could break up your left-handers,’’ Girardi said of hitting Jeter second, which could be an indication he is thinking about batting the left-handed hitting Brian McCann third. “We will have to see and play with lineups during spring training.’’
Though questions about Jeter’s health will dominate the Yankees’ camp, the central character isn’t concerned.
“I’m feeling good,” Jeter said Friday following his normal workout at the minor league complex.
When asked if his health was a concern going into his final season, Jeter responded: “Nope.’’
Any concern about his left ankle? “None,” the shortstop said.
Jeter worked with new second baseman Brian Roberts, who has the task of replacing Robinson Cano.
It wasn’t the first time the two played together.
“I played with him a little bit in the [World Baseball Classic] a few years back,” Jeter said. “I’ve known Brian for a while.”
Asked what he thought of the Yankees’ chances this season, Jeter unsurprisingly said: “I expect what I always expect. Go out there and compete for a championship.”
Additional reporting by Dan Martin