Derek Jeter Plays Down Ankle Bruise BOSTON - Derek Jeter is, in the eyes of his manager, difficult to read. So when he arrived at Fenway Park on Thursday and told Joe Girardi than his left ankle felt great, Girardi had to interpret what this actually meant. Did it mean that Jeter felt nothing? Did it mean that it was sore, but he could play? Did it mean that it hurt really badly, but he would play through it? After seeing Jeter momentarily limping in the right field grass Wednesday night on a double-play ball after he aggravated an ankle injury that has bothered him for several days, if not weeks, Girardi knew there would be no overnight cure. He also knew Jeter would not tolerate being benched to rest the injury. But Girardi still had to decide whether it was prudent to put Jeter in the lineup - which he ultimately did. "When I say he's hard to read, I know today when he says he feels great, he doesn't really feel great," Girardi said. For him, a lot of times, is it tolerable would be a better question to ask him, because he's going to play beat up, that's just who he is. Usually you can tell by his face. You can't really listen to his words. You can tell by his face how he is really feeling. Jeter aggravated the ankle trying to beat out an eight-inning double play in Wednesday's 5-4 victory over the Red Sox at Fenway Park. He stumbled over first base and, after limping for several paces, was removed from the game against his wishes. But he was back in the leadoff spot Thursday for the series finale. The one concession to the injury was that he was the designated hitter rather than shortstop, even though Girardi acknowledged that the pain flares up when Jeter runs the bases, not when he is in the field. Jeter has played 140 games going into Thursday's game, including 121 starts at shortstop, 18 games as the D.H. and one as a defensive replacement. He would not say how long he has been dealing with the bruised ankle, but it hasn't kept him out of any games, because the last game he sat out completely was June 27. Now, in the thick of a pennant race, there is little chance Jeter will allow himself to watch from the bench, but Girardi acknowledged that for the next three weeks he will have to look closely at Jeter's facial expressions to decide what to do. From now until the end of the season, Jeter's injury will have to be managed carefully. "It's probably a discussion that we'll have to have in the next couple of days to see how he does," Girardi said. PETTITTE WILL START Andy Pettitte will start Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays in place of David Phelps, who returns to the bullpen. Pettitte, who hasn't pitched since he broke a bone in his lower left leg on June 27, was declared ready after conversations with Joe Girardi, the pitching coach Larry Rothschild, the trainer Steve Donohue and General Manager Brian Cashman. The Yankees first had to overcome concerns that they were bringing Pettitte back too early, especially since he will be able to throw only about 75 pitches. But Pettitte said he didn't want to waste another 75 good pitches in a simulated game, when he could throw them for real and possibly help the Yankees in their playoff push. "Whether it's later in the week or whatever, it's a rush job anyway," Pettitte said. I feel 100 percent and I'm being honest with them. I need to get out there and get in a big league game. I just want to go to battle with these guys. Even though he hasn't pitched in a game in over two months, Pettitte is confident, based on the way the ball is leaving his hands during his pretend innings. "In these simulated games I've felt really comfortable with all my pitches," he said. My command has been great and I expect it to be great, and I expect to do well when I go out and pitch on Tuesday. Pettitte is 21-12 lifetime against the Blue Jays, with a 4.16 earned run average in 41 starts. GARCIA READY TO HELP Freddy Garcia, who was bumped out of the rotation in favor of Ivan Nova, said he was ready to do whatever the team asked. "The most important thing is that the team makes the playoffs," he said. I'm here to help. Nova, who will pitch Saturday against the Rays, has been on the disabled list with a sore right shoulder. Since the All-Star break, he is 1-4 with a 7.28 E.R.A. "I'm finally back," he said. It feels like I've been waiting a year. I'm ready. My shoulder feels really good.