After removing Derek Jeter in the ninth inning of Game 3 of the AL Division Series because of a bone bruise in his left foot, Yankees manager Joe Girardi is unsure if the shortstop will play in Game 4.
As for the Yankees’ captain, he says there is no doubt he will be in the lineup.
“I will play,” Jeter said after the Yankees moved one win away from taking the series with their dramatic 3-2, 12-inning win against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night.
Jeter was hurt when he fouled a ball off his foot in the first inning. He hobbled around the field the rest of the game. In the eighth inning, Jeter said Girardi nearly pinch hit for him when Jeter struck out.
“I talked my way into that last at-bat,” said Jeter, who went 2 for 4.
If Jeter can’t play, then Jayson Nix likely would start at shortstop. Jeter could be the DH.
No matter the circumstances, Girardi knows Jeter will say he can play.
“I’ll have to make a decision on what I try to do with him,” Girardi said. “You know, is the DH maybe for me? Does his foot feel good enough to play shortstop? Does his foot feel good enough to play at all? I’m going to have to wait until (Thursday).”
Both Girardi and Rodriguez said the decision to pinch hit for Rodriguez would not affect their player-manager relationship.
“I’m Joe’s biggest fan. Joe’s always respected me to the utmost and I give it right back to him,” Rodriguez said.
Added Girardi: “Sometimes you’ve got to do what your gut tells you, and my gut told me to make the move. I still have the utmost respect for Al and I still think he’s a great player, he’s just going through a little tough time right now.”
WRITTEN BY Andrew Marchand | ESPNNewYork.com & FULL STORY HERE
