MLB

Jeter sits with sore quad

What was supposed to be a simple off day for Derek Jeter on Saturday became more complex Sunday, when Joe Girardi held him out of the starting lineup with a tight right quad originally suffered against Boston on Friday.

“In an emergency, I would use him,’’ Girardi said before the Yankees’ 3-2 win over the Red Sox.

It’s hard to imagine what that emergency would have been, since Jeter stayed on the bench even with Yankee infielders seemingly going down on nearly every other play.

Girardi admitted to being worried about Jeter, even as he said he expected him to be able to play Tuesday against the Cubs and that no tests were scheduled. Dean Anna filled in at short Sunday.

“I didn’t see him move a lot differently on Friday, but it’s a concern of mine when someone tells you something is tight because it’s more apt to become something serious if you don’t work that stiffness out,’’ Girardi said.

So after a season in which Jeter was limited to 17 games due to various leg injuries related to his left ankle fracture, Jeter is already being affected with leg problems this year. He finished Friday’s game and was previously set to have Saturday off. Girardi then opted to sit him an extra day — part of his attempt to be proactive in keeping Jeter on the field long-term.

“He is 39 years old and I think you have to be smart about it and understand there are times you have to give him a day off,” Girardi said.

After Jeter played seven days in a row in Toronto and The Bronx, it caught up with him.

“It’s something I will have to think about the next time,” Girardi said.

As Girardi said Saturday, he “wasn’t hired to put on a farewell tour” for Jeter.

“I have to manage him with the focus of winning games and keeping him healthy,” Girardi said Saturday.

Which is why, Girardi said, he decided during Saturday’s game that some extra time off might be beneficial. And while he expressed optimism, Girardi made no promises about Tuesday.

“I feel really good about putting him out there on Tuesday as of right now,” said Girardi, who believes Jeter’s ankle is holding up OK.

“I don’t think the ankle has had an effect,” Girardi said. “His ankle has been healthy.”

It’s everything else that seems to be the problem.