Brad Penner-USA Today Sports
On Thursday afternoon, the New York Yankees received a pleasant boost to their lineup with the return of franchise legend, Derek Jeter.
After missing the first 91 games of the season with a fractured left ankle, Jeter was inserted onto the lineup card on Thursday afternoon in the number two spot behind Ichiro Suzuki. With the Yankees looking up at the Boston Red Sox who currently sit in first place in the AL East, New York is looking for a spark that will help catapult them back up the standings with the All Star break set to come and go.
There’s no denying the fact that Jeter can and will be that guy and there’s also no denying that fact that he probably won’t be getting any additional help from Alex Rodriguez. Well, with Jeter back in the lineup on Thursday afternoon as the designated hitter, a standing ovation was given when he first stepped to the plate. He responded by reaching first on an infield single in his very first plate appearance against the Kansas City Royals.
Jeter’s return to the lineup was certainly not foreseen even as early as yesterday, but a few injuries to both Brett Gardner and Travis Hafner left the Yankees scrambling early Thursday morning. Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman was thrilled to have Jeter back in the lineup, simply stating, “We are better with him here. Period.”
The Yankees entered the day in fourth place in the AL East and six games behind the division leading Red Sox.
Follow Paul Seaver on Twitter: @PaulSeaverRS
