TAMPA — There is nothing foolish about Derek Jeter’s re-entry into the Yankees’ universe, but the only date that matters to him is April Fools’ Day.
Jeter, who has yet to play in an exhibition game, wants the left ankle he fractured last October to be ready by April 1 when the Yankees open the season against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.
“I am always eager to play, but keep in mind April 1 and that hasn’t changed,’’ Jeter said following yesterday’s workout at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “Trust me, I will play when I get the OK to do so.’’
General manager Brian Cashman recently said March 10 was a loosely defined target date for Jeter to play in exhibition games. While that would be nice, it’s not set in concrete.
“I’ve got to run bases, I have run them but I have to run them harder,’’ Jeter said. “It’s like any progression when you get hurt. When I hurt my calf it was the same thing when I came back. It was running in a straight line, running the bases and running the bases hard. I don’t necessarily think it’s a check list.’’
As for the March 10 return date, Jeter was wide open.
“Why not? But I don’t put dates on it,’’ Jeter said. “That was a date that was floated out there. I will play as soon as I can, before or after.’’
Manager Joe Girardi is waiting on Jeter before deciding what his lineup will look like and where he will put Brett Gardner and Ichiro Suzuki.
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“It’s hard to say and I have said all along, we have to wait and see where Jeet is,’’ Girardi said. “We have to see where Jeet is at before we make any strong decisions.’’
Girardi said he is encouraged with Jeter’s progress, but couldn’t predict when Jeter will return.
“He is doing more and more every day,’’ Girardi said of Jeter, who will be the designated hitter when he enters the exhibition season. “We will probably get a better idea early next week about how close he is.’’
According to the manager, the Yankees aren’t going to play Jeter Sunday against the Blue Jays in Dunedin simply because it’s March 10.
“If that’s when he is ready, that’s when he is ready,’’ Girardi said. “If it’s not when he is ready. … We will see. It’s day by day with him.’’
The reason Jeter hasn’t put a date on playing in a game is because he genuinely doesn’t know.
“I think it’s just a feel thing, one day you go out there,’’ said Jeter, who takes ground balls and batting practice daily. “I have not run full speed. I am sure I will have to do that before I play. The checklist, you would have to ask the trainer.’’
The 1990s version of Jeter wouldn’t have been as accepting to being held back while others were playing.
Now, 38, he understands why.
“I am good at following directions. Ever since I was a kid I followed directions pretty good,’’ Jeter said. “You are antsy and you want to do things, but like I said when I first got here I learned a little more patience throughout the years. I know where our schedule is and everyone is on the same page. The goal is April 1. Spring training games are secondary.’’