While the New York Yankees were encouraged by Andy Pettitte throwing his second live batting practice of spring training after surprisingly coming out of retirement earlier this month, it wasn't all good news in Tampa, Fla.
Curtis Granderson is scheduled for an MRI after being scratched from Tuesday night's spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays after experiencing right elbow soreness. According to general manager Brian Cashman, Granderson will have a "precautionary" MRI tomorrow, and the team doesn't believe the issue is anything significant.
When asked how worried he is about Granderson's injury, Cashman said, "Right now, on a scale of one to 10, two or less."
Granderson is off to a strong start in spring training, batting .333 with 11 hits in 33 at-bats. The 31-year-old center fielder is also coming off the best season of his career after recording career-highs with 41 home runs and 119 RBIs in 2011.
Elsewhere in Tampa, Pettitte returned to action after throwing his first bullpen Monday. After spending 18 months in retirement, the 39-year-old lefty is attempting to work his way back to major league strength. Pettitte threw 35 pitches Tuesday afternoon as manager Joe Girardi, pitching coach Larry Rothschild, former Yankee David Wells and others watched closely.
Reviews all around seemed positive, as Pettitte said afterward he felt the session was "another step in the right direction" and Girardi also thought he looked good.
"I thought he looked pretty good," Girardi said. "He was able to throw everything, for the most part, where he wanted to."
While Pettitte also claimed to be seeing the ball off the bat better, he admitted to experiencing some fatigue during his final 15 pitches out of the stretch. Pettite also said his legs felt a little tired during his final pitches.
Ultimately, however, it seems Pettitte's comeback is off to a strong start. Nick Swisher and Chris Dickerson took turns alternating in the batter's box during the session, and Swisher raved about Pettitte's pitching afterward.
"When Swish tells me that it's moving really good, that makes you feel good," Pettitte said. "He said my four-seamer is riding, my sinker is running -- those are all important things that I need. I need the ball to move late, and the hitters so far are telling me that it's doing that. Hopefully, I can just continue to progress the way I am."
The next step for Pettitte is either another batting practice session or a simulated game, the latter of which would likely come Thursday or Friday. Girardi said Pettitte could also get into a spring training game before the season starts, but Pettitte said it's "not really important" for him to get in a game.
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