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Yankees Captain Derek Jeter received an anti-inflammatory injection in his left ankle on Wednesday morning, and in announcing that treatment, general manager Brian Cashman acknowledged a possibility Yankees fans have feared all winter: Jeter may not be ready for Opening Day on April 1.

''At this stage, I just don't know, so all I can do is acknowledge it's a possibility,'' Cashman said on the subject.

Jeter was scratched from Tuesday’s lineup after having stiffness in the ankle, and precautionary tests revealed the inflammation. Here’s more of what Cashman had to say about The Captain, courtesy of a series of Tweets by YES Network’s Jack Curry:

Cashman said he doesn't yet know if Jeter will be ready 4 Opening Day. Said Jeter has to be able to play 9 full inns and back to back gms.

— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) March 20, 2013

Could Jeter start season on disabled list? Cashman said he can't rule that possibility out. Yanks have to see what evolves in next 12 days.

— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) March 20, 2013

Cashman raved about Jeter's ability to play thru pain. Regarding how Jeter rebounds, Cashman said, "If anybody can do it, Derek Jeter can."

— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) March 20, 2013

Cashman also said the Yankees have no specific timetable for when Jeter will play again – with the GM only saying The Captain will be out at least a few days – and is Jeter is unable to go on April 1, Eduardo Nunez will take over as the starting shortstop in the short term.

Jeter had said Tuesday that from what doctors had told him, stiffness in the ankle was normal, but Joe Girardi already had some contingency plans in mind.

“I’d like to have him at shortstop on Opening Day, but if we collectively feel he could use a few more days, we’ll wait,” Girardi said Tuesday. “I’ve said all along we’ve got to play it by ear. My goal is to have him at shortstop, and that’s his goal. But we might have to make some adjustments on the fly.”

Follow Lou DiPietro on Twitter: @LouDiPietroYES