Derek Jeter admits 'pleading' with Brian Cashman to let him return to major leagues
Derek Jeter talks with reporters during pregame warmups before his rehab game with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders against the Rochester Red Wings. (July 8, 2013) Credit: The Scranton Times-Tribune/Butch Comegys
Before his third rehab game with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Derek Jeter admitted "pleading" with general manager Brian Cashman to let him rejoin the Yankees.
"I told him I want to get back as soon as possible," Jeter said before Monday night's game against the Rochester Red Wings. "I get it, I know why I am here, so I will make the most of it. I know I have to get into some games to see how I can do. Hopefully, I can get out of here soon."
Jeter played five innings and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored before a sellout crowd of 10,000 that was littered with Jeter No. 2 jerseys at PNC Park.
Afterward, he said he's making progress.
"It was good to be out there running and moving," he said. "It [his ankle] felt a little bit stiff once the game started, but it was fine after that. I felt better out there than the other days.
"I feel good overall playing and can move pretty freely. But I would feel better playing in New York."
Jeter said he won't be at the ballpark Tuesday for the Railriders' 12:05 p.m. start. He said he expects to be back in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's lineup for Wednesday's 7:05 game.
"I had to run a lot and it [my ankle] does feel good," Jeter said. ". . . The fans have been great here and it is good to see them out here. I'm looking forward to playing Wednesday at this point."
Yankees manager Joe Girardi remains optimistic about Jeter's possible return before the All-Star break.
"There is always a chance," Girardi said. "You have to see how he does in the next three or four days."
Jeter charged a grounder in the first inning and made a routine throw to first for the out. In the bottom of the inning, leading off, Jeter smacked a chopper to shortstop and appeared a bit slower than usual running down the line. But he was safe when Rochester first baseman Chris Colabello bobbled the ball.
He then moved at a normal pace going from first to third on a single by J.R. Murphy, who followed him in the order. Jeter was stranded at third when Brent Lillibridge and Randy Ruiz struck out.
In the third, Jeter found himself in an 0-and-2 hole but worked out a walk after fouling off a pair of pitches. He eventually scored from second on a single during which he appeared to be in a normal stride.
Two innings later, he chopped a grounder to third on a 1-and-1 pitch and was thrown out in his final at-bat.
