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It's Official: Jeter To The DL

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — Derek Jeter will need at least a week to recover from his strained right calf, and the New York Yankees waited Tuesday to decide to put him on the disabled list and delay his pursuit of 3,000 hits.

LISTEN: Yankees GM Brian Cashman joined Mike Francesa to update Yankees injuries

The move was made before Tuesday night's game against Texas. The All-Star shortstop limped off the field Monday night with 2,994 hits.

The Yankees said they wanted to speak to a doctor and Jeter before determining if the team captain needs to go on the DL for the first time since 2003. An MRI exam revealed a Grade I sprain, the mildest kind.

Derek Jeter discusses his injury

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Said Jeter: "If they tell me it's 14 days, I'd rather not go on (the DL) and play on the 14th day."

Jeter said his calf had been sore for a couple of days before he hobbled away against Cleveland. He said there was discomfort when he ran off the field in the top of the fifth _ it felt as if he'd been hit by a pitch, he said - and more trouble when he jogged down the line after a flyout in the bottom half, ending his night.

"I guess the timing wasn't very good," Jeter said. "It's a little bit frustrating. But even if I wasn't at this point, I'd still be frustrated. I don't like not to play. Whether it's going for 3,000 hits or 100 hits, I'd rather be out there playing."

The Yankees called up infielder Ramiro Pena from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre - he'll take Jeter's roster spot.

Backup shortstop Eduardo Nunez took over after Jeter left the 1-0 loss to the Indians.

Jeter is trying to become the first player to reach 3,000 hits while with the Yankees.

Jeter is known for trying to play through injuries. For example, he was back in the lineup, bruises and all, the day after diving into the stands for that famous catch that bloodied his face in 2004 against Boston.

According to WFAN's Jon Heyman, the Yankees, worried about being short-handed in National League ballparks during their upcoming road trip, are "giving strong consideration" to placing Jeter on the disabled list.

Jeter jogged down the first base line and immediately pulled himself last night, stalling his pursuit of 3,000 career hits.

"It's frustrating. He's six hits away," manager Joe Girardi said. "You would have hoped that he could have done it in this homestand. For our team it's frustrating. It's our leadoff guy. I am not sure what we're going to discover here, but obviously he looks pretty sore."

"I'm worried about him," Girardi said. "Just keep our fingers crossed and hopefully it's not too serious."

LISTEN: Girardi on "frustrating" Jeter injury

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But he clearly was in trouble Monday as soon as he took one step out of the batter's box in the fifth. He went to a hospital after the early exit.

Teammates, fans and even Jeter himself had said it would be nice to achieve the milestone at Yankee Stadium. New York has three games left against Texas on this homestand, then goes on a six-game road trip to Wrigley Field in Chicago, and Cincinnati.

"You hate to see it. Derek is not one to come out of a game unless it's serious," said Mark Teixeira.

All eyes, and cameras, were on Jeter when stepped to the plate in the first and he singled sharply. He looked fine when he grounded out in the second and seemed to be having no problems at shortstop.

That changed in the fifth. He touched first base after the ball was caught, returned to the dugout and was gone.

What's your take on Jeter heading to the DL? Sound off in the comments below...

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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