Jeter does not address A-Rod confession

Feb 10, 2009 - 9:50 PM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter has refused to address Alex Rodriguez's admission of using performance-enhancing drugs until the beginning of spring training.

One day after Rodriguez confessed to taking performance-enhancers over a three-year stretch ending in 2003, Jeter did not answer questions concerning his high-profile teammate.

"I'm not addressing Alex's situation until everybody's here," Jeter told reporters Tuesday at the Yankees' training complex. "If you've got baseball questions, I'll do that. You know where I'm coming from. I don't want to talk to you guys today and have three more people show up tomorrow. It's better to get everyone together.

"Are things a distraction? It's a distraction when you talk about it every single day."

New York's position players must report to spring training by next Tuesday.

In an exclusive interview conducted Monday with ESPN, Rodriguez acknowledged using performance-enhancing drugs from 2001 to 2003, when he was a member of the Texas Rangers.

The interview came two days after Sports Illustrated reported that Rodriguez tested positive for two anabolic steroids in 2003. The report stated that Rodriguez's name appeared on a list of 104 players who tested positive during a survey conducted by Major League Baseball.

The Yankees offered their support for Rodriguez in a statement issued late Monday night, saying that the team "respects his decision to take accountability for his actions."

Less than 24 hours later, Jeter admitted that the A-Rod fiasco would be a distraction for the Yankees. But the All-Star shortstop also said that off-field distractions are commonplace in the Bronx.

"Every year it's something," Jeter said. "Last year, I'm sure you go back, there was something. It's the Yankees, there's always a story at some point.

"A lot of the guys who've been here, they're used to it. Not something of this level, but used to answering questions about some other things. Once baseball activities begin, hopefully we can concentrate on that."

Jeter, a teammate of Rodriguez's since 2004, said he watched the interview and that the Yankees would "pull for" the three-time American League MVP.

"I understand you guys have a job to do, I really do," Jeter told reporters. "But we have a job to do, too, and it's much better for me, much better for the team to address it one time and not continually address it day after day. If everyone was down here today, I'd address it today."