Jeter: I'm not happy with first half

CLEVELAND -- Derek Jeter sounded flattered at being voted into the All-Star Game by fans, but he didn't sound as if he thought he deserved it. "This year I'm not happy with my first half," said Jeter, who at that point Monday wasn't sure about playing in the game because he hadn't tested his strained right calf yet.

Jeter, a 12-time All-Star, is six hits short of 3,000 but is having a worse season than he had a year ago, when his offensive numbers across the board were the worst of his career. Jeter came off the disabled list hitting .260 with a .324 on-base percentage. He went 0-for-4 Monday night.

In Jeter's 18-game absence, Brett Gardner and Nick Swisher combined to hit .275 with a .398 OBP. But Joe Girardi, pressed on the topic more than at any other point this season, said Jeter will remain atop the lineup. "He's been our leadoff hitter and he's been OK in the leadoff role for us,'' Girardi said. "And we're going to put him back there.''

Jeter, who is unlikely to play all three games here -- Wednesday would be a likely day for him to get a rest -- said the thrill of being recognized by the fans in the All-Star voting hasn't dissipated over time.

"Any time you get voted in by the fans, you appreciate that they have an appreciation for how you play. That's the way I've always looked at it," he said. "I've always considered it an honor. It makes you feel good that people appreciate how you play. You're going to have years where your first half is going to be better than others. This year I'm not happy with my first half. But you still appreciate what the fans think about you. In that sense, it feels good."

Extra bases

David Ortiz picked Robinson Cano to participate in the Home Run Derby and he accepted. Cano agreed to participate last year but the Yankees told him they'd rather he didn't because of a sore back. This year, Girardi is fine with it. "If he wants to do it,'' he said, "he can do it."

Girardi called the move to demote Ivan Nova (8-4, 4.12) "difficult." Phil Hughes will come off the DL and start Wednesday. "Here's a guy that's tied for second on our team in wins and has pitched really well since the first month," Girardi said. "But the idea of going to a six-man rotation, we didn't want to do that. We want him to continue to develop. It is a tough move. I think he handled it well. I think this kid can get even better."

Girardi said Eduardo Nuñez, who felt tightness in his right hamstring Saturday and didn't play Sunday, was available Monday night. "We're still a little cautious, though," he said. Chris Dickerson, not Ramiro Peña, was demoted to make room for Jeter, which could indicate at least moderate concern about Nuñez.