Jeter Eyes June 29th Return, Girardi Isn't So Sure

From Mark Feinsand:

Derek Jeter started his road back from the disabled list Tuesday, working out on the field for the first time since straining his calf on June 13.

Jeter did some throwing and played long-toss on a field at the Yankees' training complex in Tampa, then worked out inside and received treatment.

"He's going in the right direction," Joe Girardi said.

The Yankees remain hopeful that Jeter will be able to return from the disabled list when he's eligible on June 29, although Girardi indicated that the Captain would likely need to play a minor-league rehab game or two before coming back.

"You may want him to go through a game just to see how he feels and how he bounces back the next day," Girardi said. "The one thing you'd hate is if he was to come back, play a day and then have to take a couple days off."

Since the Yankees are playing pretty well without Jeter, I'd say hold this off as much as they can to allow Jeter to heal completely. If that means playing a few rehab games and coming back to the Yanks on the 3rd than so be it. Giving him the extra few days will also allow him to possibly reach the milestone in front of the home fans in the Bronx in their first home series after his target data, and 4-gamer from July 7-10. Honestly, do you really want to see him reach the milestone in Cleveland?