Jun 28, 2009 9:07 pm US/Eastern
Jeter Back In Lineup, Damon Still Sidelined By Flu
Shortstop Back In Leadoff Spot As Bombers Try For Citi Field Sweep Of Crosstown Rival Mets
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Derek Jeter
Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Derek Jeter returned to the New York Yankees' lineup for the Subway Series finale Sunday night, while outfielder Johnny Damon was sidelined again with a flu bug that's going around the clubhouse.
Jeter missed the previous two games against the Mets with a fever, headache and cough. The All-Star shortstop was in his usual leadoff spot and led off his first game at Citi Field with a double.
Damon missed Saturday night's 5-0 win due to flu symptoms and was still sluggish Sunday.
"Slept better last night, but he told me he still felt a little weak," manager Joe Girardi said. "and I see him walking around in a sweat shirt in our clubhouse, which tells me he's not real good."
Right fielder Nick Swisher batted second with Damon out and Melky Cabrera got the start in left.
Several Yankees have been sick lately, but Girardi said everyone except Damon was available against the Mets. He also said throat cultures from some of the ailing players have come back fine.
Backup catcher Jose Molina, out with a strained left quadriceps muscle, ran on the field before Sunday night's game. He's expected to run again Tuesday and could go on a minor league rehab stint this week.
The Yankees finished off a stretch of nine straight games in National League parks with the matchup against the Mets, and designated hitter Hideki Matsui was expected to return to the lineup Tuesday night against Seattle.
Matsui, whose surgically repaired knees have kept him out of the outfield, was 1 for 5 with two walks in seven pinch-hit appearances since his last start heading into Sunday night's game. But he doesn't think rust will be a problem when he faces the Mariners.
"It's not like I was sitting on the bench the whole time," Matsui said through an interpreter. "At least I got one at-bat almost every game, so I don't think I'll be in too bad of shape."
As of Sunday, the Yankees had a record of 42-32.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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