WAITING GAME: Derek Jeter’s stay on the DL will likely extend past April 6, the day he is eligible to return, as GM Brian Cashman said yesterday he “doesn’t know when” Jeter will return, and that he probably will not play through the weekend. (Reuters)
TAMPA — Derek Jeter is done giving out projected dates of when he will play again. And general manager Brian Cashman said he doesn’t know when the shortstop will return, either.
“I don’t think he will play through the weekend in my opinion,’’ Cashman said Wednesday before the Yankees’ 11-8 win over the Orioles of Jeter, who hasn’t played since Saturday when he felt discomfort in the left ankle running to first in a minor league game.
If Jeter doesn’t resume playing games until Monday — and that’s not a given — it is highly unlikely he would be ready to play in a big league game April 6, which is the first day he will be eligible to come off the DL. In order to prove to the Yankees that his surgically repaired ankle is well enough to play big league games, Jeter needs to play back-to-back games and nine innings.
“He was [at George M. Steinbrenner Field] at 11 with the physical therapist getting treatment. We are going to give it a few days to calm down,’’ Cashman said of Jeter, who isn’t making Thursday night’s trip to Washington D.C., where the Yankees play the Nationals Friday. “It’s nothing new, it’s trying to back off and eliminate the pain he had when this occurred.
“Right now give him rest and back off to give the ankle soreness a chance to calm down and then we will get him going again. I can’t tell you what that day is going to be. I know we will get him back, I just don’t know when.’’
* Juan Rivera received a $100,000 roster bonus Tuesday and remains in camp on a minor league contract. Had the Yankees not paid him, Rivera could have become a free agent.
* Lyle Overbay is the better defensive first baseman than Rivera, but with just three days to evaluate the left-handed hitter signed Tuesday after the Red Sox released him, Cashman wasn’t ready to proclaim Overbay the starting first baseman.
“I don’t know. I couldn’t even couch it,’’ Cashman said. Overbay was in last night’s lineup against the Orioles after playing three innings Tuesday night against the Astros. “I gave him a three-day contract. Come on over and we will take a quick peek. Our scouts have been watching some of the stuff he has been doing, so he will get a three-day, NBA-style contract. He will play (last night) and (today) and we will make a call one way or another.’’
* The addition of Vernon Wells to play left field every day put roster spots for Ben Francisco, Brennan Boesch and Rivera in jeopardy. Boesch hit a two-run, opposite-field homer.
“We are playing with it, it might mean the roles they are shooting for might be more diminished, but it doesn’t mean there might not be a role there for them,’’ Cashman said. “(They) are fighting for support positions.’’
* Cashman refuses to put Curtis Granderson or Mark Teixeira on the 60-day DL to avoid finding out they are healthy enough to return before and wouldn’t be able.
“Right now he has a strong belief that if everything goes right he will be ready in May and hopefully early May, but it doesn’t guarantee it,’’ Cashman said of Teixeira, who will start the season on the DL with a sheath problem in the right wrist. “It might not be May, it might be June, but I am not all of a sudden going to put ourselves in a position where he is ready the second week of May and I have to wait for it now. I can’t do that.’’
* David Aardsma worked an inning in an intra-squad game involving minor leaguers. He didn’t allow a hit or run and struck out two.
* Robinson Cano (stomach virus) and Ronnier Mustelier (right knee) were late scratches.
“(Mustelier) was running in the outfield and his knee grabbed at him. He said it cracked, that was the word,’’ Joe Girardi said. “He will see the doctor tomorrow to determine if he needs some tests. It’s the same knee he banged hard.’’
Mustelier ran into a Steinbrenner Field railing earlier this exhibition season.
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The Yankees claimed RHP Sam Demel off waivers from the Padres. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated RHP Danny Otero for assignment.
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