Sabathia too much for Bucs
TAMPA, Fla. – CC Sabathia pitched seven sharp innings but Derek Jeter remained in a funk at the plate, going hitless in three at-bats during the Yankees’ 4-0 victory Friday night over the Pirates.
The Yankees captain fouled two balls off the area around his left ankle in the first inning, drawing groans from the Steinbrenner Field crowd, before striking out against Edinson Volquez. Jeter was limited to 17 games last season after breaking his left ankle during the 2012 playoffs.
Jeter had an RBI grounder in the second, hit another grounder in the fifth and is 5 for 41 overall (.122) in 14 spring training games.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he’s happy with the way Jeter is moving and there is no predetermined number of games for him to play during the regular season.
Jeter, who turns 40 in June, announced last month that he plans to retire after the season.