Chad Curtis’ assumption that his relationship with Derek Jeter was never the same after Curtis criticized Jeter for fraternizing with Seattle’s Alex Rodriguez during a fight between the Mariners and Yankees last year was right on the money.

“That shouldn’t have been too hard to figure out,” Jeter said when told of Curtis’ remarks Tuesday when the Ranger outfielder explained Jeter acted differently toward him. Asked if he was bothered by Curtis saying, “You are a good player but you don’t know how to play the game,” Jeter admitted he was.

“Yeah, I was because he was wrong with what he did,” Jeter said.

Curtis never got into yesterday’s 8-6, Opening Day Yankee victory so there was no potential for a hard slide into Jeter at second. That, however, could come tonight.