Captain’s comeback
Recovery begins as Jeter has surgery
Derek Jeter officially is on the clock after undergoing surgery Saturday on his fractured left ankle. The Yankees are hoping the projected recovery period of four to five months will leave the All-Star shortstop enough time to be ready by Opening Day.
Foot and ankle specialist Dr. Robert Anderson performed the surgery in Charlotte, N.C.
Jeter was one of the few Yankees hitting well (9-for-27) in the postseason before he broke his ankle fielding a ground ball in the 12th inning of ALDS Game 1 against the Tigers eight days ago.
Jayson Nix started Game 2 and Eduardo Nunez manned shortstop for the final two games of the series.
LOWE EXPECTATIONS
Derek Lowe, who had a 3.04 ERA in 17 appearances after the Yanks signed him in August, said he will attempt to find a job as a starter as a free agent before considering a possible return to the Yankees as a reliever.
“I’d like to start again,” the 39-year-old righty said. “I knew when I came here, all the teams we were talking to would be as a reliever. … But my first priority is to start again. … I still want to pitch a long time, not just this year.”
JOBA, WELL DONE
Joba Chamberlain pulled out of the Stadium on Saturday, leaving healthy following two injuryplagued seasons that included 2011 Tommy John surgery and a dislocated ankle suffered jumping on a trampoline with his son during spring training.
“Everything is good,” Chamberlain said.
He didn’t allow an earned run over his final 15 appearances (12.2 innings) this season, including four games in the playoffs.
BACKSTOP BACKER
CC Sabathia would like to see pending free-agent catcher Russell Martin, who hit 21 homers during the regular season, back in 2013. “I think it’s important,” Sabathia said. “He’s been a great addition to our team, on and off the field. That’s not in my department, and we’ll have to wait and see what happens, but he’s been great for us.”
Asked about the criticism Alex Rodriguez absorbed throughout the playoffs, Sabathia replied: “I don’t think he should take all the blame, at all. We all had a tough postseason.”