TAMPA — Derek Jeter participated in the infield-fly drill Wednesday but was instructed not to race around the infield and shallow outfield.
“He looked OK. I didn’t want him running all over the place,’’ manager Joe Girardi said. “We have to be careful when he is out there.’’
Jeter, who had ankle surgery in October, took ground balls and batting practice for the third straight day. However, he hasn’t started a running program and isn’t running the bases and there is no date as to when he will.
PHOTOS: YANKEES SPRING TRAINING
Jeter has vowed to be ready by Opening Day on April 1 against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Yet, he isn’t likely to play in the first week of exhibition games that begins Saturday against the Braves in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
* Michael Pineda pled no contest to charges stemming from his August arrest for DUI in Tampa.
The right-hander received the minimum sentence for a first-time offender, including 12 months parole, 50 hours of community service, 10-day vehicle impoundment and a six-month license revocation. He also paid a $500 fine, plus court costs, according to a Hillsborough County Court spokesman.
Pineda, 24, has yet to pitch for the Yankees since being acquired from the Mariners last January in a trade for catcher Jesus Montero. He had surgery to repair a torn labrum last May and the team hopes he is back by the middle of this season.
* Because they are only going through drills at this stage of camp it’s nearly impossible to see if Francisco Cervelli or Chris Stewart has gained an early advantage in the fight for the No. 1 catching spot.
That will begin to change Saturday when the exhibition season opens and Girardi gets a chance to gauge the two catchers’ defensive skills.
“I don’t get too caught up what they do offensively as much as how they are handling our staff,’’ Girardi said. “A catcher usually gets less at-bats than a position player. I will watch their at-bats to see the quality of their at-bats, but for me the defense is the No. 1 thing.’’
* Eduardo Nunez had to duck and lean forward to avoid getting drilled in the back of the head by a Joba Chamberlain fastball during batting practice.
“I was so scared, oh my God,’’ said Nunez, who received an apology from Chamberlain after avoiding a serious injury by inches. “It was the first day, the second pitch and he is my teammate and my friend.’’
Kevin Youkilis not facing Chamberlain in batting practice wasn’t planned.
“I believe it’s the way it worked out, I had nothing to do with that,’’ Girardi said of Chamberlain not facing a hitter he threw up and in several times when Youkilis played for the Red Sox.
***
As for Chamberlain, there are no obvious health issues. Last spring, he was coming back from Tommy John surgery and then suffered a fractured ankle in a trampoline accident during camp.
With Rafael Soriano gone, Chamberlain’s role in the bullpen will likely be increased.
While saying he believes Chamberlain’s strength has returned, Girardi isn’t going to press panic buttons if Chamberlain doesn’t push the speed guns into the mid-90s right away.
“I am not going to get too caught up if it’s the first half of March or even in the third week if he is throwing 92 or 93 [mph],’’ Girardi said. “I expect to see the power he has. Arm strength takes time to develop for these power guys. The big thing is you are getting outs, that’s the bottom line.’’
Mariano Rivera’s recovery from right knee surgery takes the next step tomorrow when the closer is slated to throw batting practice.
Big arm pitchers have always seduced the Yankees and Girardi sees a few of them among the young group of pitchers in camp.
“There are some power arms that we are seeing, [Bryan] Mitchell and [Jose] Ramirez,’’ Girardi said of the right-handers. “And that’s just a few. There are a number of guys you are going to see in spring training throw 93 to 95-mph. Maybe if they are here a long time you are going to see higher than that.
“We haven’t had that and we have it right now. I know they are young but it’s kind of exciting. [Corey] Black has a power arm. There is more than one or two.’’
***
Non-roster pitcher Kelvin Perez took a batted ball off Curtis Granderson’s bat during batting practice. Perez, a right-hander, wore a sleeve on the left arm after the workout.