Derek Jeter runs bases in Tampa, final hurdle before rehab game
Derek Jeter runs in the infield during batting practice before the start of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. (June 22, 2013) Credit: Getty
MINNEAPOLIS -- On a day Alex Rodriguez made headlines by getting cleared to play in rehab games, Derek Jeter took a significant step toward joining him.
Jeter ran the bases at the minor-league complex in Tampa on Monday, the activity thought to be the final hurdle before he gets clearance to start a rehab assignment.
"You would think [he's closer]," Joe Girardi said of a rehab game for Jeter, though he didn't get into a timetable.
Jeter, who had been running arcs, also took simulated at-bats Monday, something he's been doing for the better part of a week.
Girardi has said that once Jeter and A-Rod start rehab games, they're likely to need the full 20 days typical of a position player.
"I think you'd have to assume they would," he said over the weekend. "Just because they haven't played at all. The first couple games, they're going to play four or five innings, and you have to build them up. It takes time."
The Yankees announced that Rodriguez will play three innings for Class A Charleston (S.C.) on Tuesday night.
Finishing strong
Phil Hughes enters Tuesday night's start 3-7 with a 4.82 ERA. He's coming off a 2-0 loss to Texas on Thursday in which he allowed two runs and five hits in eight innings.
"It's important for us but it's also important for him, too," Girardi said. "That he can try and get on a roll here and he can finish up before the [All-Star] break on a positive note and carry it over into the second half."
Cano holds big lead
In the latest round of All-Star voting released by MLB, Robinson Cano had 3,974,322 votes to Dustin Pedroia's 2,838,129 among AL second basemen.
