Derek Jeter's pursuit of his milestone 3,000th career hit was on hold after the Yankees placed him on the disabled list Tuesday with a strained calf.
New York's All-Star shortstop limped out of Monday's game against Cleveland with a mild strain of his right calf.
He has 2,994 hits in his Major League Baseball career, and is vying to become the 28th player to reach 3,000 and the first do do so in a Yankees uniform.
The Yankees put their captain on the disabled list for the first time since 2003 -- over his objections.
Jeter has played through injury before. A day after he dived into the stands for a catch that bloodied his face in a 2004 game in Boston he was back in the lineup.
But after hitting a fly ball in the fifth inning on Monday night he was clearly uncomfortable. He jogged towards first base as the ball was caught for the out, then immediately headed for the dugout and then the hospital for tests.
"He just walked off the field and you could tell he was done," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said after the game. "You don't see him come out of games."
Jeter said his calf had been sore for a couple of days. He admitted it was especially disappointing to have his pursuit of his 3,000th hit disrupted. But even if the milestone wasn't on the horizon, he would have wanted to play on.
"I guess the timing wasn't very good," Jeter said. "It's a little bit frustrating. But even if I wasn't at this point, I'd still be frustrated. I don't like not to play.
"Whether it's going for 3,000 hits or 100 hits, I'd rather be out there playing."
The injury means Jeter won't reach 3,000 during the Yankees' current homestand, in which they had three games remaining against Texas before heading out on a six-game road trip.
However, he could still achieve the feat before home fans. Jeter will be eligible to come off the disabled list in the middle of three-game series at home against Milwaukee.
The Yankees will then be on the road for six games before returning to Yankee Stadium.
Source: AFP American Edition
