New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter has been diagnosed with mild inflammation of his left ankle.

Jeter was scratched from Tuesday's spring training loss to Philadelphia because of soreness in his surgically repaired ankle. He was slated to play his first road game of the spring, but experienced soreness in his ankle while taking batting practice before the contest.

The veteran infielder was examined by Dr. Daniel Murphy, and precautionary x- rays and an MRI were taken. X-rays proved negative, but the MRI revealed the inflammation.

The 38-year-old future Hall of Famer could return to the lineup as soon as Wednesday. He has played five games this spring and has three hits in 11 at- bats.

Jeter suffered a fractured ankle in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against Detroit last October while awkwardly fielding a grounder in the 12th inning of what turned out to be a 6-4 loss that ignited a four-game Tigers' sweep. He had surgery a week later.