Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - Derek Jeter met the media Sunday at the New York Yankees' spring training complex and said he expects to ready for opening day after recovering from a broken left ankle that ended his 2012 season in the American League Championship Series last October.
"Opening day's been the goal all along," said Jeter on Sunday.
The 38-year-old shortstop said the ankle has healed, but he doesn't expect to play when spring training games begin next weekend.
"I don't know exactly what date I'm going to play," he added, while also saying he has yet to fully run on the surgically repaired ankle.
Jeter was hurt in Game 1 of the ALCS against Detroit while awkwardly fielding a grounder in the 12th inning of what turned out to be a 6-4 loss that ignited a four-game Tigers' sweep. He had surgery a week later.
The 13-time All-Star played in 159 games last year, his most since 2005, and batted .316 with 15 homers and 58 runs batted in. He led the American League with 216 hits and finished seventh in the AL MVP voting.
