Jeter Could Miss Season

Even the highest payroll in baseball couldn’t prepare the New York Yankees for what they face now -- playing without Derek Jeter for at least a month, and if the All-Star shortstop needs surgery, he could be out for the season.

Jeter was put on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday after dislocating his left shoulder on opening night.

“We miss him when he’s out of the lineup for one game,” Manager Joe Torre said. “To have him out for an extended period of time, we’re lucky we haven’t had that happen before. This will probably be a month or more. There will be a big void.”

Jeter will fly with the team to Tampa, Fla., after tonight’s game and have an MRI test Thursday. The Yankees, who open a three-game series with the Devil Rays on Friday, hold spring training in Tampa and have extensive facilities there.

The test will show the extent of the damage and whether Jeter needs surgery.

Erick Almonte will get most of the time at shortstop while Jeter is hurt.

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Three-time Cy Young Award winner Pedro Martinez has extended the opening-day deadline he gave the Boston Red Sox to sign him to a contract extension. No new deadline was announced.