Andy Pettitte Return: From Curiosity To Necessity For New York Yankees

Andy Pettitte Return: Yankees GM Says Pettitte To Start Sunday Vs. Mariners

New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte's comeback to the major leagues will begin in earnest on Sunday against the Seattle Mariners, according to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman (via ESPN NY).

Pettitte, 39, made four starts in the minor leagues during his warmup for a return to MLB action after a year-long retirement. Pettitte was 0-2 in those minor league games and had a 3.71 ERA.

Pettitte's last start in the majors was Oct. 18, 2010 against Texas in the ALCS. He finished that All-Star season with a record of 11-3 and an ERA of 3.28.

Overall, Pettitte has a record of 240-138 with an ERA of 3.88. He has struck out 2,251 batters during his MLB career which has been solely with the Yankees save for three years with the Astros (2004-2006). Pettitte is also 19-10 as a postseason starter with an ERA of 3.83.

Cashman did not say which pitcher would be removed from the Yankees rotation. It seems likely, however, that rookie David Phelps would return to the bullpen. Phelps makes his second big-league start Wednesday night against the Tampa Bay Rays.

See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees.

Andy Pettitte Decision To Come Tuesday Before Yankees Vs. Rays Series Opener

Is Andy Pettitte ready for the big leagues? History says yes, but his most recent outing for the Triple-A Empire State Yankees indicates no. Regardless, New York Yankees fans will find out the lefties fate on Tuesday, when the team is expected to announce the fate of Pettitte's next start.

According to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch,Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has talked to the Yankees' Triple-A coaches and plans to share that dialogue with New York manager Joe Giaradi before the Yankees season-opener with the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. From there, a decision will be made on the 39-year-old.

"The bottom line is he got his work in, he's healthy," Cashman said. "And so we've got to decide whether it's in his best interests to join us now or if we can get anything more out of what he's been doing."

The initial plans for Pettitte was for him to make one start at the Triple-A level and then make the jump to the majors. However, Pettitte's last start, which featured him going five inning and allowing five runs (three earned) in 92 pitches, didn't go well. So, the discussion now hinges on if Pettitte should make one more minor league start.

See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees.

Andy Pettitte Roughed Up In Triple-A Start On Sunday

New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte had a rough game in Triple-A ball on Sunday in his start for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (via Democrat and Chronicle).

Pettitte went five innings, allowed eight hits and five runs (three earned) while throwing just 59 strikes out of 92 pitches. Pettitte also walked two and struck out five. He did finish his last inning by going 1-2-3 in the fifth.

Pettitte played in front of a crowd of 13,584 (a regular-season record) at Frontier Stadium. After the game, Pettitte said

""I did not expect it," he said of the packed house. "I didn't realize there were so many people here, or even that the game had been moved from Batavia. Tell everyone I said ‘thank you.' I wish I had pitched better.''

While the speed on his fastball was fine, Pettitte pointed to his off-speed pitches as the source of his trouble on Sunday.

"I got my work in, but the feel for my off-speed stuff was just not there,‘' said Pettitte. "It's good to get into trouble and have to work my way out."

Pettitte is scheduled to fly to New York tonight. The Yankees begin a series at home against the Rays on May 8.

See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees.

Andy Pettitte To Make One More Minor League Start Before Major League Debut

New York Yankee pitcher Andy Pettitte spent Tuesday in courtroom in Washington D.C. testifying in Roger Clemens' perjury case, however, while the lefty was doing that the media members and Yankee personal were talking about his official return in pinstripes.

On Tuesday, before the Yankees Game 2 showdown with the Baltimore Orioles, manger Joe Giaradi said Pettitte is schedule to make one more minor league start, either Saturday or Sunday, and possible make his Yankee debut -- possibly next week against either the Tampa Bay Ray (May 8-10) or Seattle Mariners (10-12).

On Monday, Pettitte tossed 96 pitches in an extended Spring Training game and said he's ready to make his return to the big club. The Yankees are anxiously awaiting the return of Pettitte, who needs to be the guy to make-up for the loss of Michael Pineda and the poor pitching of Phil Hughes and Freddie Garcia.

-- See Pinstripe Alley for more about the Yankees and Baseball Nation for complete major league coverage

Andy Pettitte 'Ready' To Return To New York Yankees

Andy Pettitte said Monday that he feels "ready to help the team." Meaning, of course, the New York Yankees. Not any of the minor-league squads he has been pitching with as he prepares for his comeback after taking the 2011 season off.

Pettitte threw 96 pitches Monday in an extended spring training game, and sounds as though he believes his next start will be for the Yankees.

"I feel I'm strong enough and ready to make my next start with [the Yankees]," said Pettitte, who allowed six runs, five earned, over six abbreviated innings in Clearwater. "I feel good and it was another solid day. I felt the quality of pitches were as good as I've had in any of my starts up to now, and I was able to hold my velocity throughout [the outing]. I feel like I'm ready to help the team."

Pettitte's return to the Yankees will be a welcome one. The team has lost Michael Pineda for the season to a shoulder injury, has dropped Freddy Garcia and his 12.51 ERA from the starting rotation and still has Phil Hughes starting despite a 7.88 ERA.