TAMPA — Derek Jeter is going to start the season on the DL.

One day after getting four at-bats in a minor league game in which he was the DH, Jeter told the Yankees’ training staff today his left ankle was sore.

“He is not ready for the full duty so it’s obviously looking more likely than not that he will start the season on the DL,” GM Brian Cashman said this morning at Steinbrenner Field. “The more realistic goal is April 6. Right now he is a little sore.”

After experiencing soreness in the front of the ankle last Tuesday when he was scratched from a big league exhibition game and receiving a cortisone injection, Jeter’s soreness has found a new place.

“Now it’s toward the back,” Cashman said. “We are going to back off a bit. It’s not significant. It’s significant that we don’t have him yet but there is nothing new going on other than growing pains he has as he goes through the rehab.”

Cashman said he is comfortable with Eduardo Nunez replacing Jeter at short. Jayson Nix can also play the position.

So, when the Yankees play the Red Sox a week from today at Yankee Stadium in the season opener, they will be without three-fourths of their infield. Alex Rodriguez (hip) and Mark Teixeira (wrist) will join Jeter on the DL. Only Robinson Cano is healthy.

Of course, there are no guarantees Jeter will be ready to play shortstop in a big league game by April 6 which is the earliest date he will be eligible to come off the DL because he will be backdated to March 22.

“It’s a goal, it doesn’t mean it’s an absolute,” Cashman said. “The season is coming quicker than that leg is going to be ready. We’ll give it the time it needs.”

Cashman said a second cortisone shot hasn’t been administered and another one isn’t planned.