Via the AP: Derek Jeter took live batting practice on the field and fielded ground balls at shortstop at the team’s minor league complex in Tampa today, both firsts as he works his way back from an injury-marred 2013 season. “Everything is good so far, knock on word,” he said. “This offseason is like a normal offseason. I’m four months ahead of where I was last year. Last year, quite honestly, I want to forget about it.”
Jeter, 39, started hitting off a tee and taking ground balls on the infield grass late last month. He didn’t start doing the stuff he did today until early-March last year, when he was recovering from his broken left ankle and subsequent surgery. I assume he will continue to ramp up his workouts in the coming weeks but the Yankees have every reason to be cautious and take it slow with their captain given his age and the nature of his injuries. There’s nothing exciting about a “normal offseason” but it’s very good news for Jeter.