MLB roundup: Jeter may not return until May
Derek Jeter's return to the New York Yankees might not come until May.
Manager Joe Girardi indicated Friday that Jeter needs more spring training-like work before his surgically repaired left ankle is ready for a major-league game. Jeter has remained in Florida for rehabilitation since the season started Monday.
"I think our hope is to get him out on the field soon," Girardi said, stressing that Jeter needs time. "I don't think you could say it's going to be playing three or four games and he'll be back. He's going to have to go through somewhat of a spring training. How many weeks he needs, I think it depends on how he bounces back each day when he goes out and plays."
In his place at shortstop in the Yankees' lineup, Eduardo Nunez was hitting .400 entering Friday's game against the Detroit, but Nunez left after he was hit by a pitch from Doug Fister.
The initial diagnosis for Nunez is a bruised right biceps.
---Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts will be out two to four weeks while a ruptured tendon in his knee heals.
The injury, which occurred when he was stealing second in the Orioles' win over Tampa Bay on Thursday, is in the back of the knee and won't require surgery, according to the Baltimore Sun.
---The Minnesota Twins placed pitcher Cole De Vries on the disabled list with a strained forearm. De Vries was scheduled to take the place of injured Scott Diamond in the Twins' rotation, but now he's out of action.
Minnesota will call up Pedro Hernandez to start in De Vries' place on Sunday against the Orioles.
--- Houston Astros pitcher Alex White needs Tommy John elbow surgery and will be sidelined the entire season, HardballTalk.com reported.
White was in line to be the Astros fourth starter this season, be experienced soreness in his right elbow in spring training.
---Dontrelle Willis, who was released by the Cubs at the end of spring training, signed with the independent league Long Island Ducks, according to ESPN.com. The Ducks also announced a deal with Vladimir Guerrero.
---The Toronto Blue Jays announced that outfielder Jose Bautista would miss Friday's game with a twisted ankle.
---Two minor league players were suspended for 50 games each by Major League Baseball on Friday for a second violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
Pitcher Vaughn Covington, who is on the roster of the Cincinnati Reds' rookie-level Arizona League Reds, and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim minor league catcher Carlos Ramirez, now with the Double-A Arkansas Travelers, were the players suspended.
