Derek Jeter is out for the postseason after fracturing his ankle while fielding a ground ball at short during the top of the 12th inning of ALCS Game 1 between the Yankees and Tigers on Saturday.
The Yankees shortstop was trying to field a grounder from Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta when he went down to the ground in obvious pain. He tried passing the ball to Robinson Cano to make a play, but his efforts were fruitless and Peralta reached on an infield single.
Jeter was carried off the field and replaced by Jayson Nix at shortstop. Detroit scored on the next batter to increase their lead to 6-4.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi told the media after the game that Jeter suffered a fractured ankle on the play and that he was out for three months. Eduardo Nunez will replace Jeter on the postseason roster.
Girardi also told the media that Alex Rodriguez was not an option to replace Jeter at shortstop and that it would either be Nix or Nunez playing shortstop.
“I wouldn’t do that. It’s just been too long,” Girardi said.
Rodriguez was a Gold Glove shortstop before switching to third base when he signed with the Yankees. He’s only played shortstop five games since joining the club.
Jeter has been bothered by an ankle injury since September. He left a Sept. 12 game at Boston with a sprained ankle and served as the team’s designated hitter the next few games while trying to heal. He also hurt his left foot on Oct. 10 against the Orioles.
