MLB

Surgery possible for Yankees’ Jeter

DETROIT — One of the reasons Derek Jeter is going to see foot and ankle specialist Dr. Robert Anderson this week in Charlotte, N.C., is to explore the possibility of undergoing a surgical procedure on the fractured left ankle that will accelerate the healing process.

Of course, if the process is performed, it won’t be in time for Jeter to rejoin the Yankees this postseason, which could be over by tomorrow night.

According to GM Brian Cashman, Jeter will see Anderson “sometime this week, we don’t have an exact date yet.’’

Jeter suffered the injury scrambling for a ground ball in Game 1 of the ALCS, which ended in a 6-4 loss to the Tigers in 12 innings.

The procedure Anderson might perform is similar to the one Dr. Brian Schofield did on Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis’ fractured thumb this season. A “T-plate” was inserted into the bone and reduced the recovery time by three weeks.

Shortly after Jeter’s injury was diagnosed, the Yankees said their shortstop and one of their few productive postseason hitters would be idle for three months.

Jeter, who sold his Manhattan apartment last week, didn’t accompany the Yankees to Detroit last night and likely won’t be at Comerica Park today for Game 3 when the Yankees attempt to avoid going down 3-0 in the best-of-seven affair against stud right-hander Justin Verlander.

Jeter was fitted for a splint and is getting around on crutches.

As for the possibility that cortisone shots to treat a deep bone bruise on Jeter’s left foot led to the fracture, as some medical people have suggested, Cashman downplayed that.

“He had cortisone shots, but not in the ankle area,’’ Cashman said. “He had multiple bone bruises. I am not a doctor, but I don’t think one had anything to do with the other.’’