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Yankees captain Derek Jeter singled in the first inning of Monday night’s loss to the Cleveland American League franchise for career hit number 2,994, but left in the fifth inning with a strained calf after flying out. An MRI revealed only the lowest severity of strain, but Jeter, who’s just two weeks shy of his 37th birthday, could very well miss a few games if not end up on the disabled list.

The Yankees marketing department was no doubt hoping Jeter would reach his individual milestone during this homestand, but with only three games left, that doesn’t seem likely.  A trip to the DL may help ticket sales down the road, but Jeter hasn’t been on the DL since getting injured in the first game of the 2003 season.

Teammate Alex Rodriguez had a similar calf strain last August, missed three games then aggravated the injury in his first game back and wound up on the disabled list and missing 17 games total, so the Yankees may be extra careful with their geriatric leader.

After hitting the fifth inning flyout, Jeter “just walked off the field and you could tell he was done,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. “Obviously, we’re worried about it.”