"It's important he's here," New York manager Joe Girardi said. "It's really exciting. It's important to come together as a team."

Jeter grounded out in the first, hit a soft liner to right for a fourth-inning single and walked during the sixth against Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.

"If I'd known that, I would have waited until Thursday (to play)," Jeter said, joking about facing Wakefield.

Jeter will play in most of the Yankees' remaining spring training games in preparation for the regular-season opener April 6 at Baltimore.

"We've still got what, a week and a half?" he said. "I don't see it being an issue. I've got plenty of time. Physically I'm fine. It's good to get back and now get into a routine of playing every day."

The Yankees captain went 1-for-5 in the United States' 9-4 loss to Japan in the WBC semifinals Sunday night. He returned to Florida on Monday.

"It was a good experience with the exception of the last game," Jeter said. "We made it a little further, but it's still disappointing."

Jeter went 8-for-29 (.276), scored twice and had two doubles in eight games with the U.S. team.

"I think it's a good event," Jeter said. "They made some strides this year and hopefully the next time they do it they'll make more."

The Yankees will start the regular season without third baseman Alex Rodriguez, expected to be out until May after undergoing right hip surgery on March 9.

"It's good to know that it's not something that's going to take too long," Jeter said. "He's a vital part of the team. But just like when anyone else gets hurt, you can't sit around and wait for them to come back. You've got to play without them, that's the bottom line. People get hurt, other guys have to step up and fill in for him."

Jeter has been in contact with Rodriguez, who is rehabbing in Vail, Colo.

Rodriguez might be ready to return to the Yankees' spring training complex by early April to continue his workouts.