Andy Pettitte Hopes To Return In September

Remember August 9 when we published a report that said New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte was close to returning from his groin injury?

This is seemingly no longer the case.

Pettitte will not be ready to return to the mound until the first week of September at the earliest, and more likely the middle of the month, which could compromise his ability to be at his best for the postseason according to an ESPN report.

Pettitte’s rehab of the left groin muscle he strained July 18 was shut down for a week by the Yankees training staff Tuesday after an MRI showed that the injury still had not healed.

“To say I’m frustrated, that’s an understatement,” Pettitte said. “I’m trying to stay as positive as I can, but I want to pitch. I just want to get back and I want to pitch and I want to be healthy.”

Interestingly enough, the pitcher blamed himself for pushing too hard and delaying his comeback.

“It’s my downfall, the anticipation and expectations I have,” he said. “I literally felt I was gonna be ready to pitch against Boston maybe, or in Kansas City on the weekend, no doubt about it. Obviously, that was last week and I’m sitting here and I’m not gonna be ready to get back on the mound for another week. A lot of stuff is going through my head as we get to the end of the season here.”

As long as he is ready for the playoffs, there probably isn’t much to worry about.

Andy Pettitte Closer To Returning From Groin Injury

New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte took another step toward returning to the starting rotation when he threw a simulated inning before Monday’s Yankees-Red Sox game according to Ian Begley.

“Today was good,” he said. “I pushed it and now I’m going to continue the process.”

Pettitte’s only concern after Monday’s session was his arm stamina. He will need at least one minor-league rehab start before returning to the Bronx.

“I’m not gonna come back here [too quickly] and do something stupid,” he said. "If I don’t feel comfortable in a rehab start or whatever I’ll take an extra one because I don’t want to aggravate this any more or hurt this any more.

Pettitte, who was placed on the disabled list July 20, is 11-2 in 18 starts with a 2.88 ERA this season.

Pettitte To DL, Albaladejo Recalled

Jonathan Albaladejo has been called up to take Andy Pettitte's spot on the roster as he's moved to the Disabled List. This is Albaladejo's first call-up of the year following a terrific run as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre closer.

For the season, Albaladejo has 31 saves and a 0.96 ERA. Since June 25 he's pitched 11 times, allowing no runs, no walks, six hits and 16 strikeouts.