TAMPA, Fla. - Derek Jeter ran Monday for the first time since breaking his left ankle in October, another step toward being in the New York Yankees' lineup on opening day.
The 38-year-old shortstop jogged on a treadmill at the Yankees' minor league complex a day before pitchers and catcher report to spring training.
"I've gotten the OK to do everything," Jeter said. "It's a progression. I haven't used my legs, so I've got to get back to using them."
When asked how the running workout felt, Jeter replied "great."
Jeter began his third week of baseball workouts. He hit in a batting cage, fielded grounders on the grass in front of the infield dirt at shortstop and threw in the outfield.
"I feel fine," Jeter said. "I was able to do everything else. I just had to be careful with my ankle, but now I've gotten the green light with that. I've gotten all the green lights I need."
The 13-time All-Star expects to start in New York's opener against Boston on April 1. Jeter broke the ankle lunging for a grounder in the AL championship series opener against Detroit on Oct. 13, and had surgery a week later.
"In terms of his work ethic, it's amazing," Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson said. "I got a chance see to him for the first time today. He's going to do whatever he can to get himself back there."
NOTES: Granderson is open to the idea of switching from centre field to left field if the Yankees want to play Brett Gardner in centre. ... Granderson, a potential free agent after the upcoming season, has not had any personal conversions with the team about a contract extension. ... With 84 players on the Yankees' spring training roster, two minor league prospects will wear uniform numbers 87-99. ... After opting out of Major League Baseball Advanced Media's agreement with StubHub.com, New York announced an agreement with Ticketmaster to create "Yankees Ticket Exchange." The Yankees said the resale fee for sellers will be limited to 5 per cent of the purchase price of the resale.
