With Derek Jeter sidelined until after the All-star break with a fractured left ankle, Eduardo Nunez figures to be the Yankees’ shortstop for the foreseeable future.
“I hope he comes back this year, I hope he comes back healthy. But I prepare myself to play every day all year long. … It’s what I’m looking for all my life, to play all season,’’ said Nunez, who made his first error of the year in the Yankees’ 6-2 loss to the Diamondbacks Thursday night at the Stadium. “It’s not going to be the last. The errors come because we play. Turn the page. Tomorrow is a new day, keep working hard.’’
Jeter, who fractured his left ankle in last October’s ALCS, flew to Charlotte for an unscheduled visit with Dr. Robert Anderson. A CT scan showed a small crack, but it’s big enough to thrust Nunez into the starting role for the next three months.
“If [manager] Joe [Girardi] tells me that’s going to be my position for awhile that’s good for me I can say that, but I feel bad for Derek and the team we lost the captain,’’ said Nunez, who went 1-for-5 last night. “We have a good relationship. I thank him for everything, how to play, how to act outside the field too. I’ll never be Derek Jeter. He’s the only one who can do what he [does]. I’ll try to do my best; give everything I have.’’
The Yankees also have Jayson Nix on the roster and Gil Velazquez — who saw time in spring training at shortsop — in the minors. But for the moment, Nunez is the primary option, and with Jeter turning 39 by the time he returns, its important he performs well.
Nunez — after committing seven errors in 30 appearances in the field last season, and four in 16 appearances at shortstop for a subpar .931 fielding percentage — hadn’t committed any this season until he one-hopped a throw to first off Martin Prado’s eighth-inning grounder. Nunez also was ruled to have missed a ninth-inning tag on Cody Ross at third in what could have been an inning-ending double-play.
“[Jeter’s injury] is something were going to have to fight through,’’ Girardi said. “Some guys are really going to have to step up in his absence.’’
* Francisco Cervelli committed catchers interference twice in the same game for the first time in his career.
“It’s a tough one. There was a little late on the swing and I was too close. I got the interference,’’ Cervelli said. “It’s my fault and that’s it.”
* Andy Pettitte, who has been battling back spasms, is on track to start tonight in Toronto. The veteran left-hander hasn’t pitched since April 9 against Cleveland.
* RF Ichiro Suzuki (1-for-5) started against a left-hander for the first time since Opening Day. He’s hitting .190.
* Robinson Cano, who hit a solo homer in the sixth, is batting .412 with five home runs, eight runs scored and 12 RBI in his past eight games.
