Yesterday an MRI exam on Derek Jeter’s surgically repaired ankle showed mild inflammation after he complained of soreness and today the Yankees shortstop got a cortisone injection.
General manager Brian Cashman stressed that the setback isn’t a severe one, but also told Bryan Hoch of MLB.com that Jeter’s status for Opening Day could be in question:
The season is starting to approach. I know if you asked him, Opening Day would be a certainty. In fairness, I don’t know yet. He’s got to be in position where he could play a full nine innings of defense, be able to do back-to-back [games] and other stuff. There’s some time left. We’ll see how he responds, but I can’t give you certainty.
Players typically take at least a few days off following cortisone injections even if they’re feeling good, at which point Jeter would have about a week to get himself ready for Game 1.
