As if the ALCS?wasn’t bad enough, the Yankees announced yesterday Derek Jeter would need to undergo surgery on his fractured left ankle.
Jeter’s timetable for return would be four to five months, meaning he might not be ready for next year’s Opening Day.
“The specialist is taking a more conservative approach than our team doctors,” general manager Brian Cashman told reporters prior to Game 4. “This doesn’t preclude him being ready in three months.”
Jeter suffered the injury in Game 1, ranging to his left on a groundball in the 12th inning. He collapsed with the ball still in his glove and could not get up.
The Yankees originally announced Jeter would not need surgery and that he would be ready for the start of spring training. However, they decided to send him for further tests on Sunday morning.
“[It’s] similar to anyone who breaks his ankle,” manager Joe Girardi said before Game 2. “You are going to have an MRI to see if there is ligament damage [and] if they need to do more than just cast it. I don’t really have any more information for you except that he said he still feels great.”
Neither Jayson Nix nor Eduardo Nunez is signed for next season.
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