Doctors: Yanks’ Jeter won’t need surgery

St. Petersburg, Fla. — Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees might have caught a big break: The All-Star shortstop probably won’t need surgery.

Team doctors said Friday that Jeter’s injury should be treated “conservatively” instead of with an operation that could have sidelined the heart and soul of the Yankees for most of the season.

Instead, Jeter could be back in about a month. He will get a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., Monday.

Jeter injured his shoulder in a violent collision Monday night in the team’s season opener.

Brewers sign Stevens to minor-league deal

Milwaukee — Lawrence native Lee Stevens signed a Triple-A contract with the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday. Stevens, 35, split the 2002 season between the Expos and Indians, hitting .204 with 15 home runs and 57 RBIs.

The first baseman will start the season in Indianapolis.

Bere placed on DL

Kansas City, Mo. — Jason Bere was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday because of a strained right rotator cuff, one day before the right-hander’s scheduled season debut with the Cleveland Indians. C.C. Sabathia will move up one day into Bere’s spot and start today against the Royals. Jake Westbrook will start Sunday for Cleveland.

Rockies attendance dips

Denver — After years of attending games no matter what happened on the field, Colorado Rockies fans are staying away. For the first time in the club’s 10-year history, Colorado’s season-ticket base has dropped below 20,000. Despite making the playoffs just once, in 1995, Colorado led the league in attendance from 1993-99. The Rockies averaged more than 40,000 fans per game their first eight seasons and had a 203-game sellout streak from 1995 to 1997.

D’backs release Swindell

Denver — The Arizona Diamondbacks formally released left-hander Greg Swindell Friday, allowing him to sign with any team. Swindell, 38, appeared in 225 games in his four seasons with Arizona, going 8-14 with four saves.