Associated Press
NEW YORK ó Derek Jeterís final push for 3,000 hits is on hold.
The New York Yankees put their star shortstop on the 15-day disabled list for the first time since 2003 because of a strained right calf, making the move before Tuesday nightís game against the AL champion Texas Rangers.
Jeter limped off the field Monday night against Cleveland, four innings after he got his 2,994th hit.
ěI guess the timing wasnít very good,î Jeter said before the DL move was announced. ěItís a little bit frustrating. But even if I wasnít at this point, Iíd still be frustrated. I donít like not to play. Whether itís going for 3,000 hits or 100 hits, Iíd rather be out there playing.î
Nearing his 37th birthday, Jeter is known for playing through injuries and is reluctant to take time off. In his 17th season, this is just the fifth trip to the DL for the 11-time All-Star. He was still trying to persuade the team not to make the move hours before the decision was made.
Manager Joe Girardi said after the Yankees beat the Rangers 12-4 on Tuesday night the reason they decided put Jeter on the disabled list was because the team doctors and trainers thought his injury would take about 10 days to heal, rather than the typical seven days for the severity of his strain.
ěAt that point we thought it best to DL him,î Girardi said. ěThe risk is he sits out seven, eight days, you play him. He strains it again, now youíre looking at heís out another four weeks. That was our concern.î
Girardi added: ěHe didnít want to go on the DL. Thatís to be expected.î
With three games left on this homestand, Jeter and his teammates had hoped he would get the milestone hit at Yankee Stadium before New York heads out on a six-game road trip to play the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds.
But thereís still a chance Jeter could get No. 3,000 at home. Heís eligible to come off the DL on June 29, the middle of a three-game series in the Bronx against Milwaukee.