Yankees' Jeter, A-Rod Not In Lineup Vs. Tigers
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — Derek Jeter is out of the starting lineup for the Yankees on Thursday, a day after leaving a game against Detroit with a right hip problem.
Jeter said he felt fine, but manager Joe Girardi chose to give him and Alex Rodriguez a chance to rest.
"It isn't an injury. I have had zero treatment. I wish I had something to tell you. I had no idea I wasn't in the lineup until I walked in and didn't see my name," Jeter said. "I'm not happy about it. I always want to play. But I'm not upset."
Jeter left during the eighth inning Wednesday night. He said afterward it was nothing serious, but Girardi described him as day-to-day.
Before Thursday's game against the Tigers, Girardi said he would have given Jeter a day off regardless of what happened the previous night — although he said Jeter didn't look 100 percent while playing.
"I saw him run yesterday when he ran to first. To me, it looked like it was bothering him a little bit," Girardi said. "He was going to get a day off at some point during this long stretch, so I chose today."
Girardi indicated there's no reason Jeter shouldn't be able to play Friday night at Texas.
Eduardo Nunez is starting at shortstop and batting ninth against the Tigers on Thursday. Left fielder Brett Gardner is in Jeter's leadoff spot.
Eric Chavez replaces Rodriguez at third base.
"You are looking at 145 to 150 (games) over the course of the year," the 35-year-old Rodriguez said. "I think Joe is going to be very smart with my games played."
The 36-year-old Jeter is off to a quiet start, hitting .250 with only two extra-base hits. The Yankees are in the middle of a stretch of 16 games without an off day.
"I have to be smart about it. You can't play him every day when you're playing in 16 games in a row," Girardi said. "You just can't do it. I think the fresher our players are, the more productive they're going to be."
Girardi said he'd spoken with Rodriguez about the decision.
"I talked to Alex," he said. "I made the assumption that Derek might know."
Will a little rest do the slumping Bombers some good? Sound off below...
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