There is a major question about Derek Jeter’s health right now.
In the third inning of the Yankees’ 3-2, 12-inning victory over the Orioles last night, Jeter, who has been battling a late season, left-ankle bone bruise, fouled a ball off his left foot. Jeter was badly limping and hobbling during the game, an alarming development. It became more alarming for the Yankees as he exited the game for defense before the ninth inning.
Jeter was replaced by Jayson Nix, and there’s a chance the Yankees will have to use Nix at shortstop tonight while using Jeter as DH. After the game, manager Joe Girardi said he wasn’t sure if Jeter will play tonight.
Is it possible Jeter will have to sit out Game 4? Possible, but highly, highly doubtful, knowing the way Jeter is — especially because he hit a triple and a single after fouling the ball off his foot last night.
Nevertheless, the question is how much Jeter’s foot might affect him going forward. Can he drive off it? How will any mobility impingement impact his defensive range (if he does play short) or his baserunning?
Jeter is notorious for downplaying injuries, consistently saying, “I’m fine” and shrugging off any physical problems. It’s highly unlikely he will reveal much about what he’s playing through.
Fortunately, Jeter continues to hit. His triple in the third inning came with two outs and Russell Martin on third base, a clutch hit that plated Martin and tied the game at 1-1. Granted, the triple was partially due to Baltimore center fielder Adam Jones taking a terrible route to the ball. But regardless, Jeter drove the ball well to deep center.
In Jeter’s next turn, he singled to open the sixth inning against Baltimore righty Miguel Gonzalez, but he was erased when the next hitter – Ichiro Suzuki — grounded into a force play. In his final at-bat of the night, Jeter struck out in the eighth inning. At that point, manager Joe Girardi pulled him.
For the series, the 38-year-old Jeter is hitting .462 (6-for-13) with two RBIs. He has an all-time major league-best 197 postseason hits in an all-time major-league-high 155 games.