New York Yankees great Derek Jeter is slowly making more progress from his ankle injury.According to MLB.com, the Yankees captain is increasing his on-field activity at the club's training complex in Tampa, Fla., fielding ground balls hit directly at him as well as swinging a bat.
The source also reported that Jeter resumed playing catch on the field at Yankee Stadium during the team's last homestand, the first time he has been able to do so since a new fracture was diagnosed in his left ankle back in April.
According to multiple sources, Jeter is scheduled to be seen this week in Charlotte, N.C., by Dr. Robert Anderson, who performed the initial surgery after his ankle was broken in last year's AL Championship series. Anderson is expected to examine a new CT scan of Jeter's ankle as part of the visit.
Jeter will turn 39 years old later in the month of June, so obviously the Yankees are a little skeptical and careful on when they bring back their 13-time All-Star shortstop. Jeter has said in many interviews that this season has been one of the most frustrating seasons in his entire career. He has yet to release a statement regarding when he will return from the injury.
Hopefully, in his meeting with Dr. Anderson, he will be told he can participate in a few running drills. He still has not been cleared to partake in any running drills whatsoever.
While Monday's progress is a good sign for Jeter, he has not yet been cleared to run, and manager Joe Girardi said during the club's series in Seattle that rehabbing infielder Alex Rodriguez is ahead of Jeter in terms of moving closer to a projected return date.
Written by Dedrick Hendrix
