Fresh out of retirement, Andy Pettitte threw his first bullpen session of spring training Tuesday.
Pettitte threw approximately 50 pitches Tuesday after undergoing a physical earlier in the morning. Pitching coach Larry Rothschild kept a careful eye on Pettitte throughout the session, who said he felt like he had never left the game.
"I am a little surprised that I felt as good as I did today, to tell you the truth," added Pettitte, who stunned Major League Baseball by ending his one-year retirement and re-signing with the New York Yankees on Friday. "So we'll just have to see where it goes -- hopefully it will continue to be that good."
Starting catcher Russell Martin caught the majority of Pettitte's session and was clearly pleased afterward.
"That's as good of a bullpen as I've caught all spring," said Yankees catcher Russell Martin, who caught most of the session. "He threw all his pitches, and just kept executing pitch after pitch after pitch."
Pettitte did throw a secret bullpen session for the Yankees in Tampa last Tuesday, as well as a private one back home Friday. Nevertheless, manager Joe Girardi said he viewed today as Day 1 of Pettitte's spring training.
"I don't think it's unrealistic really to say that we (will) see him in a game before we leave," Girardi added. "But I don't think it's realistic you're gonna see him throw five innings in one start."