Yankees News & Notes: Jeter cleared, A-Rod no complications, Morse to M’s

A pair of injury notes for the Yankees, as it’s been widely reported that Derek Jeter is cleared to resume baseball activities and should be ready for Spring Training. Meanwhile, Alex Rodriguez‘s hip surgery went well and without any complications. However, his return is slated for sometime after the All-Star Break. Finally, many outlets, including us (here, here), speculated that Washington Nationals OF/1B Michael Morse would be a great addition to the ball club after the team made him available. However, Morse is heading out west to play for the team whom he started his career with.

Will he return to 2012 numbers or 2010? (Image: John Munson/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports)

According to Dan Martin of the New York Post, Jeter has been out of his walking boot since after Christmas, and just now got the OK to resume baseball activities.

"“I’ve gotten the OK for baseball activities,” Jeter said. “I don’t start until next week or the week after [normally] anyway with baseball activities, so I’m right where I need to be.”"

Many fans, including our own Matt Hunter in his column yesterday, are worried that the 38-year-old’s production might slip exponentially because of the injury. Martin asked Jeter about how the roster is shaping up and whether he feels they’ll be competitive:

"“We’re always full of surprises, so we’ll see when we get there how the team looks,” Jeter said. “I’m pretty sure we’ll be competitive and be right where we need to be.”"

In other news, Alex Rodriguez’s surgery went well, according multiple sources. ESPN reports the surgery was “to repair a torn labrum and an impingement in the hip socket was performed by Dr. Bryan Kelly of the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.” The exact timetable for his return is still up in the air, however, many feel that after the All-Star Break is logical given the extent of the surgery.

"“The biggest obstacle that I see is that we really have to manage a lot of issues,” Kelly said a week ago. “I like to tell people six months is a reasonable time frame for return to play. It would be great if he returns faster. But it’s possible it will take longer.”"

In the final bit of news, Yankee trade target, Michael Morse is now presumably off the market after the Seattle Mariners acquired him in a three-way deal that also included the Oakland Athletics. In the deal, Morse went to the Mariners, John Jaso to the A’s, and  A.J. Cole, Blake Treinen, and a player to be named later back to the Nationals. Cross another righthanded masher off the market for the Yankees, as now Scott Hairston looks to be one of the last remaining above average bats to fill out their lineup.