TAMPA — Derek Jeter hasn’t been back on a field yet, but it’s not because he isn’t healthy enough.
“I’ve gotten the OK for baseball activities,” Jeter said. “I don’t start until next week or the week after [normally] anyway with baseball activities, so I’m right where I need to be.”
Jeter said he’s been out of the boot protecting his surgically-repaired left ankle since shortly after Christmas and doesn’t believe the Yankees are battling too many injuries to contend this season.
“Too old? Why are we too old?” Jeter said of the team that has largely only added veterans to its roster this offseason by bringing back Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera and Ichiro Suzuki, among others. “Are we too old or experienced? Which word do you want to use?”
The shortstop was at a fundraiser for his Turn 2 Foundation at the Seminole Hard Rock and Casino and showed no signs of lingering effects from the broken ankle he suffered during Game 1 of the ALCS against the Tigers.
Jeter is not certain next season’s roster is set, and Scott Hairston remains a possibility for the Yankees, but nothing is imminent.
“We’re always full of surprises, so we’ll see when we get there how the team looks,” Jeter said. “I’m pretty sure we’ll be competitive and be right where we need to be.”
That could depend on Alex Rodriguez’s recovery from yesterday’s left hip surgery that will keep him out until after the All-Star break.
“You want everyone to be healthy,” Jeter said. “Hopefully the surgery went well and he gets back as soon as possible.”
* The Yankees lost out on another potential target when Washington sent right-handed outfielder Michael Morse to Seattle yesterday in a three-team trade that included Oakland. The Nationals reacquired A’s pitching prospect A.J. Cole while the Mariners sent catcher John Jaso to Oakland.
* Phil Hughes avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $7.15 million. The Yankees still have relievers Joba Chamberlain, David Robertson and Boone Logan potentially headed to arbitration.
* The Yankees will play an exhibition game at West Point against Army’s baseball team on Saturday, March 30 at 2 p.m.