Update on Jeter’s Rehab

New York Yankees General Manager, Brian Cashman, gave an update on team captain and starting shortstop, Derek Jeter‘s rehab from a broken ankle earlier today. It was announced that Jeter has removed his walking boot and is beginning to work out at the team’s Minor League complex in Tampa, Florida. The 38 yr old future hall of famer batted .316 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs for the Yankees in 2012 and led the majors with 216 hits.

Oct 13, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (middle) is helped off the field by manager Joe Girardi (right) and trainer Steve Donahue (left) after suffering an injury in the 12th inning during game one of the 2012 ALCS against the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

As you will remember, Jeter fractured his left ankle when his Yankees were facing off with the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS. He had surgery on October 20 and was put in a non weight bearing cast for six weeks. He had that same cast removed yesterday. Cashman had the following to say:

"“He’s doing fine. All the boots are off. He’s allowed to walk around now in shoes and stuff, but he’s not doing any running. He’s at the complex and they have an underwater treadmill, so he’s doing some walking underwater. Sometime in mid-to-late January, he’ll be cleared for some baseball activities; hitting and fielding. He won’t be doing any running until the very back end of this. That’s the plan so far, and he’s doing well.”"

Jeter said recently that he expects to be in the Yankees’ Opening Day lineup when they square off against their rival, the Boston Red Sox in New York on April 1st. Brian Cashman echoed that statement advising that the organization expects that to be the case as well. More from Cashman:

"“[Jeter] was always expected to be behind in Spring Training, and he’s always been expected to be 100 percent ready to go as our starting shortstop when the regular season starts.”"

All in all, this is good news for Jeter and Yankees fans as not seeing him in the Opening Day lineup would be a tad bit odd. Especially when they’re opening up at Yankee Stadium against their hated rivals.