New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter has been cleared to start baseball activity in his recovery from a broken left ankle injury.

"I've got the OK to start," Jeter said before a launch party for his Turn 2 Foundation Celebrity Golf Classic. "But I don't start until next week or the week after, anyway. In terms of baseball activity, I'm right where I need to be."

Jeter won't take the field for workouts until later this month, but reiterated Wednesday that he is on track to be in the Yankees starting lineup for the opener on April 1.

Jeter broke his ankle after lunging for a grounder in Game 1 of the AL championship series against the Detroit Tigers on Oct. 13. Following the injury Jeter underwent surgery a week later and Yankees issued a statement saying Jeter's recovery time would take at least four to five months.

He first injured his ankle in mid-September and then fouled balls off his foot several times after that.

Before the injury Jeter had another solid season in 2012, leading the American League with 216 hits and batted .316 with 15 homers and 58 RBIs helping lead the Yankees to a 9-67 record (best in the American League).

The team will certainly need Jeter in the lineup if they are going to earn a top seed in the AL once again this year.

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