TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Derek Jeter got a partial standing ovation Thursday before hitting into a double play in his first at-bat of the first spring training game of his final season.
The New York Yankees captain, who turns 40 in June, hit a grounder to second off Pittsburgh right-hander Charlie Morton. He swing and missed once, hit three foul balls and grounded into a 4-6-3 double play on a 3-2 pitch.
Jeter on deck before first spring at bat. Yeah, it's going to be that kind of year pic.twitter.com/nVTs1sVQK4
— Anthony McCarron (@AnthonyMcCarron) February 27, 2014Limited to 17 games last season due to leg injuries, Jeter was at shortstop in his first exhibition season appearance. He broke his left ankle in the 2012 AL championship series and did not appear at shortstop last spring training until March 13.
Jeter had just 11 at-bats in five games during spring training last year, stayed behind for rehabilitation at New York's minor league complex and broke the ankle again. He returned to the Yankees on July 11 but wound up on the disabled list three more times.
Jeter announced Feb. 12 that this will be his last season.