CLEARWATER, Fla. — Derek Jeter was removed from New York’s lineup against the Phillies on Tuesday for “precautionary” reasons because his surgically repaired left ankle feels “stiff.” He said he might be able to play Wednesday and doesn’t consider this a setback.

Jeter has mild inflammation of the ankle, a precautionary MRI showed. An X-ray was negative. He was listed as day-to-day.

“I’m not concerned because I was told this was going to happen,” Jeter said before the test results came back. “From everything I’ve been told by the doctors, it’s normal.”

Jeter broke his left ankle in Game 1 of the ALCS against Detroit. He played in his first spring game March 9 and later played the field for the first time. He is 3 for 11.

 

BREWERS: Barring a move from outside the organization, Milwaukee’s five-man starting rotation is set for the beginning of the season, and it doesn’t include Mark Rogers of Orrs Island, Maine.

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The starters are currently lined up in this order: Yovani Gallardo, Marco Estrada, Wily Peralta, Chris Narveson and Mike Fiers.

Rogers originally was in the mix but was moved back to throwing bullpen sessions after struggling with his command and velocity.

“(Pitching coach) Rick (Kranitz) was happy with the (first bullpen session) and I think he wanted him to throw another one,” said Manager Ron Roenicke, who indicated he expects Rogers to get back to game action at some point.

“Where he is in pitch counts, it’s going to be tough to be extended out to 90 pitches (to be a starter). I don’t want to ever say it’s not going to happen but it’s tougher for him now.”

Rogers is out of minor league options, meaning he would have to clear waivers to be assigned to the minors.

One alternative is to place him in a long-relief role in the bullpen with hopes he gets back on track.

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While Gallardo and Estrada were put back on schedule to be the Nos. 1 and 2 starters after pitching for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, the other three pitchers have yet to find grooves.

Peralta is 1-0 with a 6.23 ERA in two outings; Narveson is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in three games; and Fiers is 2-0 with a 4.41 ERA in five games.

 

TIGERS: Left fielder Andy Dirks bruised his right knee running into a wall while chasing a ball.

Dirks said he is day-to-day. His competition for the starting left-field spot is Quintin Berry, who is also day-to-day because of tendinitis in his left knee.

Dirks was injured while going after a double hit by Tampa Bay’s Jack Cust.

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RANGERS: Texas optioned top prospect Mike Olt to Triple-A Round Rock and reassigned right-handed reliever Yoshinori Tateyama to its minor league camp.

 

CUBS: Third baseman Ian Stewart will begin the season on the disabled list with a strained left quadriceps.

Stewart had not played for the Cubs this spring and reinjured the quad last week.

 

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PHILLIES: A slimmer Roy Halladay is optimistic he’ll be ready when the season starts.

Halladay said he lost about 10 pounds in two days because of a stomach virus but still expects to pitch during the first series at Atlanta. Cole Hamels already was named Philadelphia’s opening-day starter and Halladay is slated for the second game April 3.

 

BREWERS-ANGELS: In a game where balls and strikes were briefly called from behind the pitcher’s mound after an umpire was injured, Albert Pujols made his spring debut at first base for Los Angeles in a 6-1 loss to Milwaukee at Phoenix.

Pujols played the field for the first time since offseason surgery on his right knee. He went 0 for 2.

Pujols was hit by a pitch from Wily Peralta with two outs in the top of the first inning. The ball deflected and broke plate umpire Seth Buckminster’s hand.

Buckminster left the game along with umpire Anthony Johnson, who changed into home-plate gear. After a brief delay, with only two umpires left on the field, play resumed for four batters with Tim McClelland calling pitches from behind the mound.

Johnson returned to the field and McClelland shifted to third base three batters into the bottom of the first.

 


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