New York Yankees Place Derek Jeter Back on DL with Quad Injury

After missing the first 91 games of the 2013 season with an ankle injury suffered in the 2012 ALCS, shortstop Derek Jeter returned to action for the New York Yankees on July 11.

The return was short-lived, however, as he suffered a quad injury and has now been placed back on the 15-day disabled list:

Jeter certainly isn't the same player he once was, as he doesn't have as much range in the field and has lost a step or two overall. Still, the captain's calming presence has long been an invaluable influence.

Since the season began, the Yankees have dealt with injuries to Jeter, Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson and a host of other key players. With that in mind, Jeter's initial return gave fans hope that the Yanks might be back on track.

Jeter was immediately tested in his first game back against the Kansas City Royals, as he had to leg out an infield single in his initial at-bat. He remained in the game, but he was eventually lifted for a pinch hitter in the eighth inning, as his quad proved to be too troublesome.

After the setback, the Yankees made the decision to hold Jeter out for the final three games before the All-Star break at the very least. He clearly needs more time, however, and since the latest move is retroactive to July 12, Jeter will be eligible to return on July 27. General manager Brian Cashman, though, said he wasn't sure his shortstop would be ready within that time frame.

"It’s a Grade 1 and this stuff takes time and there’s a progression to it," Cashman said Friday, via the New York Post. "We’ll just have to wait and see. It’s really hard to handicap, especially when he hasn’t really been doing anything but getting treatment."

Cashman also did not rule out a rehab stint.

Another DL stint is not what the Yankees had in mind, but the team can't afford to risk another injury to the 39-year-old shortstop. The team called up Brent Lillibridge in Jeter's stead.

New York is currently fourth in the AL East, as it trails the Boston Red Sox by six games, but the team is just three games out in the wild-card race. The Yanks will play a three-game set against the Red Sox this weekend, and while they will have to do it without Jeter, a series win would be huge for the team's confidence moving forward.

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