Derek Jeter takes on-field batting practice for the first time

Spring training won't start for the Yankees until next weekend, but that hasn't stopped Derek Jeter from getting ready for the season ahead.

A couple weeks after participating in baseball-related activities for the first time since going in the disabled listed on September 11th, ending his injury plagued season, Jeter took live batting practice for the first time since September at the Yankees' spring training complex in Tampa.

According to the Associated Press, Jeter took 39 swings and was hitting the ball to all fields. They also mentioned that he fielded 34 ground balls at shortstop for the first time this year.

"Everything is good so far, knock on wood," Jeter told the AP.

Jeter made four separate trips to the DL last season, one in which he played just 17 games .190 (12 for 63) with one homer and seven RBIs. He played in just five spring training games last year, re-injuring his surgically repaired right ankle.

"This offseason is like a normal offseason," said Jeter. "I'm four months ahead of where I was last year. Last year, quite honestly, I want to forget about it."

Jeter missed the first 91 games of the 2013 season, then felt pain his right quadriceps when he returned July 11th, forcing him back to the DL. He returned again on July 28th for three games, then strained his right calf.

"My job is to be ready to play," Jeter said. "I remember when I was 35, everyone said that was it. He can't play anymore. End of my career. So, it's really nothing different. Eventually, somebody is going to be right, you know what I mean? You're going to run out of numbers."

Yankees pitchers and catchers will report to Tampa next Friday, February 14th, and will have their first full-squad workout on February 20th.

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