Derek Jeter Out Until After All-Star Break After Further Ankle Damage Discovered

The New York Yankees will now have to replace Derek Jeter in the lineup for much longer than previously anticipated.

Jeter was already on the disabled list with an injured ankle, but a CT scan discovered an additional crack near his previous injury, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com:

Hoch also quotes Yankees general manager Brian Cashman as saying that the shortstop will be out until after the All-Star break:

Fortunately, Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News reports that surgery is not necessary:

The veteran player has been out since Game 1 of the ALCS against the Detroit Tigers.  

Jeter had hoped to return in time for Opening Day and started taking at-bats during the spring. As of March 26, however, he decided to “stop putting dates” on his recovery, according to ESPN’s Wallace Matthews.

Still, this new time frame is outside of what most expected for the longtime team leader.

After two down seasons, Jeter put together one of the best years of his career in 2012 with a .316 batting average and 15 home runs. His .791 OPS ranked first among American League shortstops.

The Yankees will have to get by with Eduardo Nunez as the starting shortstop for the time being. He is currently batting .240 with no home runs and four runs on the season.

Jayson Nix is also capable of playing the position and will see extended time while Jeter remains out of the lineup.

It remains to be seen if New York will look for external options to replace the future Hall of Famer, but this extended absence is likely to increase the need for help.

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