DETROIT — Derek Jeter did not play for the Yankees’ in Thursday afternoon’s 6-3 loss to the Tigers, but said it was not due to his injured hip.
Jeter was removed in the eighth inning of Wednesday night’s 4-0 loss because of a right hip issue. Jeter downplayed the injury, saying “it’s not a problem. It’s not hurt, I have zero treatment.’’
Jeter said he was surprised when he saw the lineup card, but not upset with the decision.
“It’s always difficult not to play when swinging the bat well but that’s not the case. There is a long way to go,” Jeter said.
Joe Girardi dismissed any concerns over Jeter’s injury, and said the Yankees captain was going to sit Thursday regardless. Eduardo Nunez was the shortstop, and he made two errors.
“He was going to get the day off, I have to be smart about it,” Girardi said of Jeter.
Alex Rodriguez also was not in the starting lineup but had to enter the game in the fourth inning when Eric Chavez was injured running out a triple.
Girardi said before the game he did not want to exhaust his star third baseman.
“The last thing you want to do is wear him down,” Girardi said.
Rodriguez acknowledged a plan was in place to give him the occasional day off throughout the season.
“We talked in spring training about 145 to 150 games. Joe will be smart about it,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said he “always loves playing especially if (I’m) swinging the bat good.”
Rodriguez was in a horrible funk, hitting .080 over his past 50 at-bats.
