MLB

Yankees’ Jeter getting consecutive SS starts

TAMPA — Derek Jeter will take another step toward playing shortstop on Opening Day when he plays the position again Saturday against the Phillies at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

“I’m playing [Saturday],” Jeter said after playing five innings at short in yesterday’s 7-3 win over the Marlins in which he went 1-for-3 and had three assists.

Jeter is working his way back from a fractured left ankle suffered in the ALCS last October. Yesterday was his second game at short, and today he will play the field in consecutive games for the first time.

“It’s good, but honestly it’s like any other spring training,” Jeter said. “You go out there and start and you hope you get more ground balls and more action as you move along.”

Jeter grounded out to short in the first, singled to left in the third and grounded out in the fifth.

PHOTOS: YANKEES SPRING TRAINING

He gave the ankle a test when he slid into second base and was forced out.

“I always do that. He was at second base when I was halfway there. Lot of guys peel off, I just slide,’’ Jeter said.

* Jeter sounds comfortable with Francisco Cervelli becoming the No. 1 catcher.

“Why not? He’s been here before. Last year, he wasn’t here, but he’s had some time here. He knows a lot of the pitchers. He can play. So why not?’’ Jeter said. “I don’t know how many people are competing for the job. He probably has as good a chance as anyone.’’

While manager Joe Girardi has stressed defense will be the deciding factor between Cervelli and Chris Stewart, hitting doesn’t hurt.

Yesterday, Cervelli went 1-for-3 with a homer.

“It’s about defense, but if the numbers are there offensively, I will be happy,’’ Cervelli said.

* Ronnier Mustelier’s hard-charging style of play cost him when he ran into a railing by the third-base dugout chasing a foul ball that landed out of play.

Mustelier, a third baseman in Cuba who was converted to an outfielder by the Yankees when they signed him in 2011, chased Juan Pierre’s foul pop in the fourth inning and only stopped when his knees hit the rail. That was followed by his thick mid-section crashing into the rail.

Mustelier went down, and when he got up, he was walked off the field. He was diagnosed with contusions to both legs.

“I want to wake up [today] and play, but we will wait and see,’’ Mustelier said.

According to Girardi, Mustelier will be idle until Tuesday, the day after the Yankees’ off day.

“He hit it pretty hard,’’ Girardi said.

Mustelier said his ribs weren’t a problem, but he was walking slowly due to a sore right knee and left hamstring.

After posting impressive minor league numbers with the bat the past two seasons, the 28-year-old right-handed hitter was given an outside chance of making the club when Mark Teixeira went down.

Mustelier is hitting .280 (7-for-25), and if he does not make the team out of camp, he has put himself in position to be promoted at some point.

* David Robertson worked a scoreless inning in which he gave up two hits.

“That’s the best I have thrown,’’ Robertson said.

Joba Chamberlain gave up a run and a hit in one inning.