Derek Jeter Returns to the Diamond

It might have only been a spring training game, but Yankee fans were surely delighted and relieved to see Derek Jeter back in pinstripes again.

Jeter appeared in his first game since he tragically fractured his ankle during last year’s ALCS. The injury ended his season as the Yankees’ ended as well.

The organization was concerned he might not be ready in time for the beginning of the 2013 campaign, but on Wednesday, it appeared things are off to a good start for the Yankee captain.

He rejoined the team in his usual position – at shortstop in the field and in the leadoff spot in the batting order, helping the Yanks to a 6-2 win over the Philadephia Phillies. And although he only played four innings, it was certainly a huge stride in returning to the field full-time.

“It was good to be out there again,” Jeter said, according to ESPN.com. “You get nervous a little bit, until you get your first ground ball, your first at-bat, but that’s pretty normal,” he said. “It really just felt as though it was like a first spring training game.”

Jeter looked like his usual self for the most part. After reaching on a walk in the second inning, he ran from first to third with no hesitation. However, he acknowledged that he still has a long way to go until he is 100 percent.

“This was a good starting point,” Jeter said. “But there’s still a lot of different things I have to do, still steps I have to take to be ready.”

Yankees manager Joe Girardi will continue to take things slow with his captain, announcing that Jeter will rest for Thursday’s game against the Blue Jays. However, he expects Jeter will play in back-to-back games as soon as the weekend. Like the fans, for now, Girardi is thrilled to see how far he has come in his rehabilitation.

“It just feels right to have him out there,” he said.

Of course, with all the injuries the Yankees are dealing with at the moment, fans are crossing their fingers in hoping that Jeter will be ready for opening day. And according to the man himself, that goal is an attainable one for sure.

“I’ll be fine,” Jeter said in response to being ready for April 1. “I’ll be good.”