TAMPA, Fla. — It’s their policy, and they’re sticking to it.
And Derek Jeter’s not complaining.
Addressing his contract situation for the first, and he says only, time this year, the shortstop said Wednesday that he’s OK with the New York Yankees letting his contract expire before negotiating a new deal.
Closer Mariano Rivera and manager Joe Girardi also are in the final years of deals.
“I don’t have a problem with it,” said Jeter, who is in the last year of a 10-year, $189 million contract. “The Yankees, that’s their policy, that’s the new policy that they have. They have every right to do that. I signed a long deal, I’m still under contract with that deal, but they have the right to make any rule they want.”
Jeter repeated what he has often said: The Yankees’ uniform is the only one he wants to put on in his career.
“It’s always been important,” Jeter said. “I’ve said that from Day One — this is the only organization I’ve ever wanted to play for, and that’s still true.”
Jay McGwire says drugs aided brother
NEW YORK — Mark McGwire’s estranged younger brother said he injected Big Mac with a variety of steroids and he thinks the former homer king gained obvious strength from the drugs.
Jay McGwire’s book, “Mark and Me,” is scheduled for publication Monday.
Jay McGwire said his brother “knew that he was going to get the strength and endurance and size.”
When he finally admitted last month that he used steroids, Mark McGwire said it was only for healing.
“He knows his game went to the next level because his body went to the next level,” Jay McGwire said. “He knows. The body, the before and after pictures, are amazing.”
The McGwire brothers have not spoken in eight years because of a family dispute.
Lee works bullpen session
PEORIA, Ariz. — Mariners left-hander Cliff Lee completed his first bullpen session of spring training without any problems with his left foot, which needed surgery almost three weeks ago to remove a bone spur.
“It wasn’t as sharp as I would like, but it’s the first time I’ve been off the mound in a little while, so I guess that’s to be expected,” Lee said. “I feel good. The foot’s fine.”
Footnotes.
Russell Branyan and the Indians completed a one-year contract that brings the well-traveled and strikeout-prone bopper back to Cleveland, where he started his big-league career in 1998.
• Rangers designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero will occasionally play right field, manager Ron Washington said.
Also, Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton is day to day after bruising his shoulder.
• Right-hander Livan Hernandez is coming back for a third tour with the Nationals.
• Pirates reliever Octavio Dotel is day to day because of a strained muscle on the left side of his upper body.
• Catcher Rod Barajas joined the Mets after finalizing a $500,000, one-year contract.
The Associated Press
