Surgeon clears Derek Jeter for all baseball activities

Derek Jeter hopes to be ready for the Yankees' Opening Day. (Elsa/Getty Images)

Derek Jeter has been cleared for all baseball activities after his surgeon examined his left ankle Thursday.

Manager Joe Girardi said Jeter left Yankees camp in Tampa and traveled to North Carolina for an appointment with Dr. Robert Anderson.

“It went great,” said Girardi, who said Jeter received “final clearance” to return to full action.

Jeter is expected to join the Yankees on the field in Jupiter, Fla. Friday, but Girardi didn’t say if or when he would make his exhibition debut. Jeter expects to be ready for the Yankees' season opener.

Jeter, 38, broke his left ankle while lunging for a ground ball in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against Detroit on Oct. 1. He had surgery a week later, adding to an off-season he described as "absolutely terrible."

"Mentally it was rough, too, but more physical. I was stuck on the couch for a good five, six weeks where I couldn't really move around too much. I had a little scooter to move around. It was not fun."