After throwing another successful bullpen on Monday, Andy Petttitte is headed to Trenton on Thursday to start a Double-A playoff game for the Yankees affiliate. If that goes well, then he may start one more minor league game before pitching for the Yankees.
Originally, Yankees manager Joe Girardi thought Pettitte -- who has been on the disabled list because of an injured groin since July 19 -- might just need the one minor league start before returning to the majors, but now Girardi is more on the fence. If Pettitte needs a second minor league start, then his return to the majors could be pushed back from around Sept. 13 to around Sept. 18th.
Right now, the likely date for his return is Sept. 18th at Baltimore.
Originally, the Yankees were going to have Pettitte start on Wednesday, but they changed it to keep him online with his normal work week. With the Yankees off on Thursday, it also may give them more flexibility to where and when they want Pettitte to pitch in a major league game.
Pettitte said he felt great after his session on Monday. He will face New Hampshire in a Double-A playoff game on Wednesday. Pettitte will throw 60 pitches. He seems like an unfair advantage for a playoff game.
"I told them I'd go down there and ruin the poor kids' season," said the self-deprecating Pettitte as he referred to Trenton, not New Hampshire.
The Yankees just hope he is fine for their October playoff games.
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