BALTIMORE — New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter will miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury, the team announced Wednesday.
Jeter last played Saturday against Boston. He was removed for a pinch runner after hurting his left ankle, and although a CT scan was negative, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said the shortstop will be shut down for the remainder of the year.
“This entire season has been a nightmare for me physically,” Jeter said. “It’s a fitting end.”
Jeter started the year on the disabled list after breaking his left ankle in the 2012 playoffs. He returned to the DL twice more and played in only 17 games, batting .190 with one homer and seven RBIs.
His departure comes with New York in the thick of the AL wild-card hunt.
“It’s very disappointing not to be able to play, especially at this time of year,” Jeter said. “This is when I want to play the most.”
Asked if the 39-year-old Jeter might have reached the end of his career, Cashman replied, “No, I do not believe that. I really don’t believe that. I have not thought I have watched his last game. Not one time.”
It’s been a rough season for Jeter, New York’s career hits leader with 3,316. He made his season debut on July 11 but hurt himself in that game and returned to the disabled list on July 19 (retroactive to July 12) with a right quad strain. After being activated on July 28, he returned to the DL on Aug. 5 with a strained right calf.
Jeter was a regular in the lineup after his return on Aug. 26, but now he’s done for good.
Brendan Ryan, obtained in a trade with Seattle on Tuesday, was in the starting lineup at shortstop on Wednesday.
