The New York Yankees are already preparing for Derek Jeter's impending retirement, and reports indicate that Hanley Ramirez could be one of the possible replacements for the iconic shortstop.

Nick Cafardo of Boston Globe reported that Ramirez will likely become a free agent this winter after the Los Angeles Dodgers failed to convince the veteran shortstop to sign a contract extension.

Cafardo did not mention directly that New York will go after Ramirez when he hits free agency, but he noted that the Yankees are the only team that could attract the 30-year-old if he wants to stay as a shortstop, saying that other teams view the nine-year veteran as a third baseman.

"The Dodgers and Ramirez haven't been able to work out a contract extension yet, and if he doesn't re-sign in Los Angeles, then where? Clearly Ramirez will have to move to third base, unless the Yankees get involved and he stays at shortstop to replace Derek Jeter," Cafardo wrote. "Ramirez remains a very talented player who can go on tremendous hot streaks at the plate."

The Yankees made trade-deadline deals that is said to be related to Jeter's retirement after this season, acquiring Stephen Drew from the Boston Red Sox and Martin Prado from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Meanwhile, the Yankees took another blow after David Phelps left Sunday's match against the Boston Red Sox due to left elbow inflammation that could force him to sit out at least one start.

The Yankees' rotation has been hit by a multitude of injuries this season. Two of their original starters -- CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova -- are already done for the season.

Good thing for them, Michael Pineda, who has not played since April 23 due to a back injury, is close to making his comeback after pitching 3 1/3 scoreless innings in a Triple A match on Sunday.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi was impressed with Pineda's progress, but the 25-year-old pitcher will have to make at least one more rehab start before making his return to the major league.

"He felt good, which obviously is very important," Girardi said of Pineda via New York Post. "He will make his next start Friday, not sure where. He threw the ball pretty well and [we're] pleased with the progress he is making."

On the other hand, ace pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is not expected to return soon, but the Japanese will play catch on Monday to determine his current condition.

Tanaka, who is 12-4 with a 2.51 ERA this season, sustained a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He underwent platelet-rich plasma therapy on July 14, hoping to avoid a Tommy John surgery.

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