TAMPA — The syringe of cortisone that invaded Derek Jeter’s left ankle Wednesday deleted a degree of soreness from the hinge.
While that is a positive sign, the Yankees are taking steps to make sure that if Jeter lands on the disabled list he can be backdated. Whatever games Jeter plays in before camp concludes Thursday will be minor league tilts. They don’t count in the backdate scenario because admission isn’t charged.
A player can only be backdated to March 22. If that happens a player can’t come off the disabled list until April 6.
“We need to preserve the ability to backdate him,’’ said general manager Brian Cashman, who also said it was possible for Jeter to be ready by Opening Day.
When Jeter was scratched from Tuesday’s game against the Phillies because of stiffness in the front of the ankle he fractured last October and had surgery on, it was considered by some as a setback. Ditto for when Jeter was injected with cortisone Wednesday.
Nevertheless, Jeter doesn’t view it that way and is going to participate in limited baseball activities today.
“We will see if he gets on the field [today],’’ manager Joe Girardi said . “Hit and go through drills and see where we are at.’’
Jeter said the original goal of being ready to play April 1 remains intact.
“The goal is Opening Day, nothing has changed from my point of view,’’ Jeter said before sitting out a third straight exhibition game — a 6-1 loss to the Twins last night at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “I haven’t talked to them but nothing has changed from my standpoint.’’
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As usual Jeter refuses to give into a physical problem.
“I wouldn’t call it a setback, it’s what is supposed to happen,’’ Jeter said. “The last couple of days I have talked to the doctor and it’s all normal. The ligament, bone everything is perfect. [Stiffness] is what happens after surgery.’’
Jeter went as far to say: “If I had to play, I could play.’’
Jeter doesn’t put any stock in the fact that he likely won’t play a full game in spring training.
“Five innings or nine innings, I don’t think it makes a difference,’’ said Jeter, who has played in five games, going 3-for-11 (.273). “It’s not basketball, running around the track. I don’t think I have played nine innings in a spring training game in years.’’
Girardi said what happens from now to Opening Day will determine whether Jeter is with the club for the April 1 opener against the Red Sox in The Bronx or on the DL.
“What happens in the next week or so will determine [it],’’ Girardi said.
Jeter said Tuesday wasn’t the first time he felt soreness in the ankle area.
“It’s been there, all around the place,’’ Jeter said. “The soreness moves around on a daily basis so that’s nothing new. I couldn’t play on it two days ago.’’
While Jeter refuses to give up on Opening Day he will be down if he isn’t at short or be the designated hitter.
“Of course, I am disappointed whenever I don’t play,’’ Jeter said. “My job is to be ready on Opening Day.’’