Andy McCullough of the Newark Star-Ledger reports that Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter has been cleared to open a minor league rehab assignment Thursday night with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Jeter will be limited to five innings in his first game, but he should be able to play all nine innings by this weekend with an eye on returning to the Yankees’ active 25-man roster sometime early next week.
Jeter has appeared in only five games this season for the Yankees due to ankle and then right calf issues.
He is 4-for-19 (.211) with one homer, two walks and two RBI in those five games.
The 39-year-old is making $17 million this year and carries an $8 million player option for 2014.