Yankees News: Derek Jeter to Start Season on DL

Wide speculation was confirmed on Sunday and Yankees’ shortstop, Derek Jeter, will begin the regular season on the Disabled List. Jeter is not injured, but is currently battling back from ankle surgery which kept him immobile most of the offseason.

While the Yankees’ captain is already back in action in Spring Training, the Yankees do not project him to be able to play shortstop daily by Opening Day, which makes placing him on the DL to continue to work in Tampa more of a prudent decision.

This move would not be as easy of a decision if not for Eduardo Nunez, who has worked vigorously this offseason to improve his throwing motion (electing a shorter release) to help cut down on throwing errors which have plagued his young major league career.

Nunez offers a lot more range than Jeter and a solid glove, but his throwing has been erratic and a liability. A strong defensive spring along with his usual ability to hit and steal bases, makes Nunez the only option to start the season as the Yankees’ starting shortstop. The 25 year old hit .292/.330 with 11 stolen bases in 2012, a slight improvement over .265/.313 and 22 stolen bases posted in 2011, when Nunez filled in admirably for Jeter because of a hamstring injury.

Now the Yankees are encouraged by his speed and his defense alike and believe Nunez has earned a second chance at an extended Major League gig. It’s unclear where Nunez fits into the future in terms of his ceiling. The right-handed hitter is being paid the league minimum and is headed into his prime, so he has a clear roster spot for the foreseeable future (or is an excellent trade piece), but the Yankees seem on the fence about whether or not he will be the shortstop of the future or a career backup.

The initial plan, before Jeter’s injury, was for Nunez to be a super-utility man, but that idea was scrapped quickly once the Yankees had Nunez dedicate himself to his defense in an effort to make him an insurance plan in the event Jeter was not ready following his recovery.

Now Nunez’s hard work should pay off since Jeter is not ready, and he will have a chance to prove himself once again in the Bronx this April.

More Yankees News: Mariano Rivera has been diagnosed with migraine headaches.Rivera has been battling headaches this spring and being checked out was more of a cautionary move.