Derek Jeter Out With Fractured Ankle

He was trying to make a diving catch in the 12th inning of last Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. He ended up fracturing his left ankle instead.

Shortstop Derek Jeter will miss the rest of the postseason, having elected to have surgery on his fractured ankle, which will keep him out for five months. Manager Joe Girardi was brief on Jeter's injury, saying, "His ankle is fractured, so he's out. He's out."

Jeter sustained the injury when he dove to his left to field a ground ball from Tigers shortstop Johnny Peralta, but his ankle twisted underneath him as he fell to the ground. He threw the ball to second baseman Robinson Caro to prevent a run from scoring. Jeter stayed on the ground, in clear pain and was helped off the field by Girardi and trainer Steve Donahue. The crowd at Yankee Stadium began to cheer "Der-ek Jet-er."

Pitcher Andy Pettitte was not surprised to hear about the severity of Jeter's injury, as he came back recently after a long road with a foot injury. "For him to lay down on that field, I knew something was broke or torn completely. When I saw him not get up, I knew he was done, really. That doesn't surprise me at all," said Pettitte. "It's bad. It's a bad loss. Obviously, it's your captain and we got a game tomorrow. We got to move forward and guys are going to step up to play out there. Just have to do a good job for us."

Jeter received the news from team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad and according to Cashman, he had no reaction. Jeter had suffered a bone bruise in Game 3 of the ALDS on his left foot and one earlier in September on his left ankle. These injuries may have encouraged the fracture. 

Jeter, 38, decided to have elective surgery on his fractured ankle, surgery that will sideline him for five months. He may not be ready for spring training until late March. The surgery will also likely keep him out of the World Baseball Classic, which Jeter had been looking forward to participating in, as former skipper Joe Torre will manage the US team. 

Jeter's surgery will be performed on Saturday by Dr. Robert Anderson, out of Charlotte, NC. Dr. Anderson put Jeter's recovery time from the original two to three month time frame to four to five months. "My understanding is that it's possible he will be ready earlier than that time frame," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday night. "But it's best to put out there four, five months, as a safer bet."

Jayson Nix and Eduardo Nunez have stepped in since Jeter suffered his fracture. Jeter was batting .333 for the Yankees. Cashman has expressed little interest in securing another shortstop in Jeter's absence. "I haven't looked at that at this stage. We do have Eduardo Nunez, we have Jayson Nix. So it's not something we're focused on. And I wouldn't think that's something I would gravitate to."

If you are are suffering from a sports related foot injury, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Newington, Kensington, and Middletown, CT
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