Cervelli said he was told after Nunez’s injury that he might have to play third base in an emergency. Presumably, that would send Kevin Youkilis to shortstop. Youkilis, who also plays first base, played shortstop at the University of Cincinnati for one year. But he is 34 and that was a long time ago.

“I can play anywhere,” he said. “It won’t be pretty, though.”

Cervelli played three innings at third base in 2010 and two more innings there in 2011. He also played two innings at second base in 2011. However, he said he had not taken any ground balls this year.

“Maybe I will tomorrow,” Cervelli said. “Anything for the team.”

Such exigencies have arisen from the unlikely number of injuries that have stung the Yankees since last October, when Jeter fractured his left ankle in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Tigers.

Jeter had hoped to be ready to play on opening day, but two setbacks during spring training — when he developed soreness in the ankle — left the timing of his return uncertain. He remains at the Yankees’ complex in Tampa, Fla., where the training staff is working on strengthening the area around the ankle more than it did initially.

What is clear is that Jeter will have to go through several more stages in his rehabilitation before he can rejoin the Yankees. Once he is ready to get on the field, he will need to play several extended spring training games to demonstrate that he can go nine innings at shortstop on consecutive days. He must also regain his timing at the plate. Only after all that will the Yankees activate him.

“He’s going to have to go through somewhat of a spring training,” Girardi said.

The Yankees seemed to sag last October after Jeter went down, and not much has changed since then, especially with three other key players — Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson — joining him on the sidelines. On Friday, Youkilis hit a two-run homer in the fifth to give the Yankees a temporary lead, but in the bottom of the inning Logan replaced Ivan Nova and Fielder quickly pounced.