Derek Jeter returns to the New York Yankees today:

Jeter, 39, will be playing for the first time this season after undergoing surgery on his left ankle last October. He suffered the original injury during the American League Championship Series, then had a setback in April when doctors discovered a small crack in his ankle, near the initial break.

The Yankees are 49-42, six games back in the AL East, despite playing without Jeter all season. However, they are just 12th out of 15 teams in the AL in runs scored, and the combined OPS of their shortstops ranks next to last in the league, ahead of only the Mariners.

Even Jeter at 75% is going to improve the Yankees offensively. I’m curious to see how well he holds up in the field, especially when he has to take a hard slide on a double play.

Hat tip, Hardball Talk.