BOSTON — That trip to the disabled list might turn out to be the most important three weeks of Derek Jeter’s season.
Jeter has played 26 games since returning from the disabled list, in which he is hitting .321 (34-for-106) with two homers and 17 RBIs. Mark Teixeira said he believes Jeter’s bat has awoken because the Yankees captain was able to revive himself while on the shelf.
“He’s refreshed,” Teixeira said before the Yankees’ 3-2 win over the Red Sox last night. “I’ve always said sometimes stints on the disabled list aren’t bad at all. . . . Sometimes a few weeks off is great for a player.”
Teixeira’s theory is based upon the relentlessness of a long baseball season and the desirability of an in- season respite.
Jeter, who returned from the DL on July 4 after being out with a calf strain, entered the crucial series against the Red Sox in the midst of a scorching stretch.
In his last 14 games — against the Rays Athletics, Mariners, Orioles, White Sox and Red Sox — Jeter is bat ting .358 (19-for-53) and hadn’t been just collecting sin gles. He had racked up six ex tra-base hits and 12 RBIs while also drawing six walks.
“I see it as bat speed,” Teixeira said. “Since he’s come back from the DL, he’s been impressive.”
Hitting coach Kevin Long agreed the time away from the field may have helped.
“I’m sure it gives you a boost and it charges your batteries,” Long said. “But the bottom line is, he’s driving the ball. He’s swinging at good pitches.”
It remains to be seen if Jeter’s hot streak will continue. He went 1-for-4 with a run scored last night, but had struggled against the Red Sox this season, batting just .200 (8-for-40) as the Yankees went 1-8 in the first nine games between the archrivals.
Long marveled that Jeter has inexplicably improved against right-handed pitchers recently, though he could not explain why. Before the game, Jeter did not want to discuss it, implying that would jinx his success.
Jeter’s re-emergence has made a difference for the Yankees offense.
“It just makes us that much deeper,” Teixeira said.
That’s been even more valuable considering Alex Rodriguez is still on the disabled list thanks to knee surgery — potentially reviving himself, just like Jeter.