The New York Yankees' pitchers and catchers are not slated to arrive at spring training for another week, but early arrival David Phelps already has some thoughts on his team's captain and shortstop Derek Jeter.

Phelps, who will be competing this spring for a rotation spot, told the New York Daily News Jeter "looks amazing." The Yankee captain played only 17 games last year and is still rehabbing a broken ankle, which he has maintained in now healed.

"You can tell he's determined to go out there and do well," Phelps said. "If you had to place a bet on it, you know he's going to go out there and have a good year. I'm really looking forward to seeing him play again. He's having a lot of fun right now."

Jeter took live batting practice every day Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the Daily News reported and has even taken ground balls from the infield dirt. Phelps told reporters Jeter "has his foundation under him" when taking swings in BP, a good sign considering a not-so-healed ankle limited his batting average to .190 before going back to the disabled list.

"You look in the past, this team's usually only as strong as he is," said Phelps. "It's going to be nice having him back there behind us."

Phelps' early arrival for spring training is another good sign for the Yankees, who look to bounce back from missing the playoffs in 2013. With CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Ivan Nova and Masahiro Tanaka all but guaranteed rotation spots, the fifth spot is up for grabs.

Phelps will join Michael Pineda, Vidal Nuno and Adam Warren in an open competition for the final rotation spot. At least one other of that group could also very well still wind up on the big league team, but in the bullpen.

Phelps, a former bullpen arm and occasional starter, was clear about what type of role he wants to play for the Yankees in 2014.

"I would obviously love to be a starter," he told the Daily News. "I think I'm capable. I just have to go out and show what I'm capable of. If it's not that, I don't have a problem pitching out of the bullpen. But at the same time, I do want to start."