Andy Pettitte is ready to take the biggest step in his comeback effort.
And while Pettitte talked of it happening Thursday, manager Joe Girardi didn’t rule out the veteran lefty throwing tomorrow against the Mets.
After a 25-pitch bullpen at George M. Steinbrenner Field yesterday, Pettitte is preparing for a possible minor league assignment.
“I plan on pitching somehow Thursday, for sure,” said Pettitte, whose biggest workload has been simulated games. It is possible Pettitte could continue on the simulated path, but there was excitement in his eyes talking about a minor league game and he was very aware of the Single-A Tampa Yankees schedule.
With the Tampa Yankees opening the Florida State League at GMS Field Thursday night, there is a chance Pettitte could work.
“It’s an option, anything is an option right now,” Pettitte explained. “Thursday is my day, but I wish I could tell you exactly.”
Girardi left the exact date wide open.
“I believe he’s going to pitch in a game for us. We are going to have to see the exact date on that. There hasn’t been anything to tell me that we need to take a step backwards or that he’s not going to be on the schedule but I still want to talk to him when I see him,’’ Girardi said. “He could pitch in a minor league game. There’s no guarantee he won’t pitch Wednesday. I want to talk to him, see how he feels [today] and then decide. ... We’re definitely running out of games. He signed a minor league deal, so there is no clock.’’
Pettitte is anxious to face different uniforms, but is attempting to avoid taxing a 39-year old body that wasn’t active last season.
Following a simulated game Saturday morning Pettitte said his legs were heavy. Yesterday, Pettitte said his legs will progress at their own pace.
“We are not going to try and push it. I am leaving that part up to Dana [Cavalea],’’ Pettitte said of the Yankees’ strength and conditioning coordinator.
Even though yesterday’s workout was short, Pettitte could tell his body is making strides toward being a bigleague pitcher again.
“I bounced back really good after my last outing,’’ Pettitte said. “My legs were gassed [Saturday] and that was good. That’s the point I want to get it to. It’s going to be a work in progress.’’
For most of yesterday’s exercise, Pettitte worked from the stretch. And in true Pettitte form, he found something that didn’t please him.
“I am trying to get my timing. Obviously you saw me out there. I had some horrible pitches out of the stretch when I tried to slide step,’’ Pettitte said. “You cannot duplicate a hitter being in the box and a runner on second base, you can’t duplicate that. I can try to do all these things in a simulated game. I was quick on slide steps. All of that is timing and I have to get back. I do that during the course of a [big league] game and you hope and pray you don’t get hurt.’’
* Michael Pineda was at GMS Field yesterday where he participated in conditioning exercises but didn’t throw. Pineda was diagnosed with tendinitis in the rear of the right shoulder Saturday after pitching Friday night and will start the season on the disabled list.
george.king@nypost.com
Andy Pettitte, Pettitte, Joe Girardi, George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa Yankees, minor league game, simulated game, minor league, minor league
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น