Derek Jeter was scratched from the New York Yankees‘ spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday due to a “cranky” left ankle, according to manager Joe Girardi (via Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com). 

 

UPDATE: Tuesday, March 19, at 6:30 p.m. ET by Ethan Grant

According to Daniel Barbarisi of The Wall Street Journal (via Twitter), an MRI on Jeter’s left ankle came back better than expected. He’s being listed as day-to-day:

—End of update—

 

The star shortstop suffered a scary injury in October when he broke his ankle in the American League Championship Series against the Detroit Tigers. He underwent surgery to repair the damage and hadn’t had any documented issues with the ankle until now.

Per Matthews’ report, Girardi said he’s keeping his “fingers crossed” that it isn’t serious. Jeter stressed that his absence from the lineup was merely a precautionary measure and that doctors had told him to expect some general stiffness in the ankle. 

“It’s not in the area I broke,” Jeter said. “I was told, ‘You’re going to feel it, not necessarily in the ankle but around the ankle.’ It’s normal. You got to deal with it and move on. lf I wasn’t told, I’d be concerned.”

Jeter signed a three-year, $51 million extension (2014 player option included) with New York in December 2010 despite a contentious offseason with the team. He responded by hitting .297 in 2011 and .316 in 2012. The Yankees captain also posted a .333 average in six postseason games last year.

The 38-year-old played in 159 games last season, but played in only 131 games in 2011. As the veteran ages, concerns over his ankle—and general durability—are sure to mount. Though he can still pull off the occasional highlight-reel play at short, it’s clear that his mobility is on the downturn. 

Though it is unknown when exactly Jeter will be ready to return, it has to worry the Yankees that precautions are already being taken with the start of the 2013 season on the horizon.  

 

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