Derek Jeter to have at least two rehab games at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

Derek Jeter is headed to Triple-A. Again.

The Yankees captain's latest rehab will take him back to the Yankees' International League affiliate in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Thursday night to play at least two games before potentially rejoining the Yankees this weekend in Tampa, manager Joe Girardi said Wednesday.

Jeter already knows his way around the Electric City, having played four games there this season during his two previous rehab assignments. He admittedly didn't want to return there again, but little has gone according to plan for Jeter this season.

Jeter, 39, has been limited to only five games with the Yankees because of injuries to his ankle, quad and calf.

Girardi declined to speculate whether two games with Scranton will be enough for Jeter, saying the team will "go day-by-day and see how he responds each day" before a determination is made. That's in line with the cautious approach they have taken with Jeter's latest injury.

On the disabled list since Aug. 5, Jeter has spent the past week at the Yankees' Tampa facility testing his calf by playing simulated games and running the bases. Girardi said Jeter went through a workout Wednesday without any issues, clearing him for his latest rehab assignment. He will play five innings as shortstop Thursday night, Girardi said, and will play at least one more game before the Yankees re-evaluate his progress.

It's been a long road to get to this point. After breaking his left ankle in the postseason last October, Jeter vowed to be ready by Opening Day. But his ankle didn't allow it, and it's been a string of injuries ever since.

SEE PHOTOSDerek Jeter timeline

First, he broke the same ankle again in April. Then he tweaked his quad in his first game back in July. Then he strained his right calf, even while admittedly trying to not go all-out running the bases.