The Associated Press reports that Jeter, who broke his ankle in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against Detroit, has been cleared for baseball activity and should be at full strength by opening day.
Rodriguez, meanwhile, underwent surgery on Wednesday to repair a torn labrum and damaged cartilage in his left hip — injuries that noticeably hampered the third baseman throughout the playoffs.
The procedure “went as planned and without complication,” according to ESPN.com, but A-Rod is still looking at at least six months of rehab and physical therapy. Team doctors are optimistic that he will return after July’s All-Star break.
Injuries to two of their strongest bats has been cited as a primary contributor to the Bronx Bombers’ implosion in last season’s ALCS — a series in which a roster that ranked in the top two in the league in runs (804), on-base percentage (.337) and slugging percentage (.453) batted a combined .157 and plated just six runs while being swept in four games.
Jeter actually performed well during New York’s Divisional Series win over Baltimore, hitting a team-high .364 with four runs scored, but Rodriguez struggled throughout. He went just 3-for-25 in the postseason with zero RBIs and was pulled for pitch hitter Raul Ibanez in Game 3 of the the ALDS and left out of the starting lineup in Games 3 and 4 of the Championship Series.