Yankee captain Derek Jeter was as determined as he was defiant today, insisting he’d not only be back this season, but just as mobile as he was before suffering a small crack in his surgically-repaired ankle.
“It’s been a difficult process, it’s been a frustrating process,’’ Jeter admitted, adding he didn’t have any doubt about a 2013 return. “No. No doubt. When you have doubt, that’s when you’re in trouble.’’
Jeter was diagnosed with a small crack in his left ankle last week, and GM Brian Cashman had repeatedly said the captain would be out until after the all-star break.
“The doctor obviously got him back in the boot, and we’ll see him sometime after the all-star break. We’ve just got to give the bone a chance to heal a bit,’’ said Cashman. “I feel bad for Derek obviously. We’d love to have Derek as soon as possible. And I know that’s what he’d like, too.
“But again, you can’t (rush it); it’ll be ready when he’s ready. It takes time for bones to heal. It was obviously something that was unexpected, a surprise to him and to us, but its an inexact science. Sometimes you just have to adjust along the way, and his body told us there was an adjustment necessary.’’
Jeter, who had originally set a goal of returning by Opening Day, declined to set a timeline for his return.
“I’m not giving a timeline. The last timeline I (gave) I didn’t make. I don’t want disappoint myself or anyone else,’’ said Jeter. “As soon as I can physically play, I’ll play. I don’t know when that is.’’
The 38-year-old Jeter – who took mild umbrage to a remark about his “advanced age” – suffered the fracture on Oct. 13 during Game 1 of the ALCS. A week later he underwent surgery for what was described as a dislocated ankle.
Last week, he made an unscheduled visit to see Dr. Robert Anderson in North Carolina, who performed the original surgery and found the small crack.
“It’s been frustrating,’’ said Jeter. “There’s one other time I dislocated my shoulder and I was out for six weeks. And that was kind of odd for me because I’m used to being out there. So it’s been similar situation.
“I don’t like watching games. I like to be out here. I like to be with the team. Early on I wasn’t able to be with the team, because I was trying to get ready to get back and then this happens. But I’ll be here for a while – this homestand at least – and move forward from there.’’
