By The Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, March 20, 2013, 7:36 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, March 20, 2013

TAMPA, Fla. — The Yankees might be without Derek Jeter on Opening Day.

The star shortstop missed his second straight exhibition game Wednesday because of inflammation in his surgically repaired left ankle. General manager Brian Cashman said there was a chance Jeter could begin the season on the disabled list.

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

The 38-year-old Jeter received an anti-inflammatory injection in his ankle. The Yankees start the regular season April 1 at home against Boston.

“We've got to do what's right for him,” Cashman said. “Whatever's right for him will be right for us. I'm not saying he's going to be DL'ed, but I can't tell you it won't be. I don't think it's anything serious; I just think it's a timing issue.”

Jeter broke his ankle last year in the first game of the AL Championship Series against Detroit. He waited a while before making his debut in a spring training game, starting out as a designated hitter March 9 and later playing in the field for the first time.

Dodgers' Ramirez injured

Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez could be sidelined for more than two months or maybe just two weeks because of an injured left thumb.

“They've painted both pictures, and it's a pretty big window,” manager Don Mattingly said. “We're guessing.”

Ramirez was hurt diving for a ball while playing third base Tuesday night in the championship game of the World Baseball Classic. He helped the Dominican Republic beat Puerto Rico, 3-0.

Mattingly said a mild sprain likely would leave the All-Star infielder out for a couple of weeks, but a major injury would make it much longer.

Yankees, BoSox to honor Newtown victims

The Yankees and Red Sox will honor the community of Newtown, Conn., and the memory of those killed in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School when the teams play Opening Day April 1 at Yankee Stadium.

Pregame ceremonies include a joint honor guard of Newtown police and firefighters and a moment of silence at which time a list of the victims' names will be recognized on the center-field scoreboard.

The Yankees and Red Sox will wear a special ribbon on their uniforms. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig has asked that all 28 other major league teams wear the ribbon during their opening games.

Norris opens AL play for Houston

Right-hander Bud Norris will start for the Astros in the major league season opener against the Rangers on March 31.

The Astros will host Texas in their first game since joining the American League in that Sunday night opener.

Norris was 7-13 last year. He is 2-0 with a 5.52 ERA in four spring training starts.

Brewers, A's make deal

The Brewers acquired third baseman Stephen Parker from the Athletics in exchange for right-handed pitcher Darren Byrd.

Over four seasons in the minors, the 25-year-old Parker has batted .277 with 43 home runs and 262 RBIs in 448 games. His best season was 2010 when he batted .296 with 21 homers and 98 RBIs in 139 games at Class-A Stockton.

The 26-year-old Byrd spent three seasons in the Brewers' farm system and appeared in one game this spring.

Around the league

Blue Jays 3B Brett Lawrie, who's been out with a strained rib, played catch at camp in Dunedin, Fla., for the first time since being injured. He expects to be ready for Opening Day. ... The Yankees worked out free agent RHP Chien-Ming Wang at their minor league complex.

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5. MLB notebook: Francona set for return to Boston
6. MLB notebook: Rangers place Kinsler on DL

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