Yankees’ starter Andy Pettitte is inching closer to his return. If all goes according to plan, he could return right before a key series against the Rays in New York, exactly one month after going on the disabled list with an injured groin.
Pettitte threw a scoreless four innings in a minor league rehab start for Double-A Trenton on Thursday. The outing was pain free, a big step in the right direction.
If any of the Yankees’ minor league teams are still playing on Tuesday, the Yankees will likely send him down to pitch one more rehab game before returning to the Majors. If a minor league team is not playing, the Yankees could either have him throw a simulated game, or have him return to the Majors, the latter being unlikely.
Regardless of where he pitches, the Yankees would like him to throw five innings and 85 pitches. That would have him in good position to throw 100 pitches in a Major League start.
Pettitte, 38 years old, last pitched on July 18 before suffering a groin injury. He was 11-2 with a 2.88 ERA in 18 starts this season.
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