New York Yankees: Andy Pettitte Suffers Setback, Still Aims for September Return
July 30, 2012 · Doug Rush · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
When we last checked up on the status of Andy Pettitte‘s recovery from a broken ankle, all signs were pointing in the right direction.
According to Andrew Marchand of ESPN, the Yankees left-hander hit a snag in his road to recovery and has suffered a “slight setback.”
Marchand reported that during the first couple of weeks, Pettitte was healing faster than expected, but recently the healing process had slowed down a bit, which has caused his ankle to swell.
Pettitte had started to throw on flat surface and was up to 55 pitches. When the team was in Seattle to play the Mariners last week, Pettitte felt that he pushed it too hard, which may have caused the swelling.
So for now, Pettitte is temporarily shutting down throwing to see if the swelling in his ankle goes down, then he will resume his rehab.
Despite the setback, Yankees GM Brian Cashman said that he still expects Pettitte to be back in early September pitching for the Yankees and that this doesn’t concern him, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.
“With rehab, you have good days and bad days, good weeks and bad weeks,” Cashman said. “He’s coming back in September, which is what we’ve said all along.”
Pettitte was 3-3 with a 3.26 in nine starts with the Yankees before taking a hard line-drive off his ankle in a game against the Cleveland Indians back on June 27.
Despite the injury to Pettitte, the Yankees have the best record in the American League heading into Monday at 60-41.
A lot of people have wondered if the Yankees would make a trade for another starter, but have gotten by with Freddy Garcia pitching in Pettitte’s spot. Garcia is 4-4 with a 5.16 ERA in 2012.
The Yankees are aiming to have Pettitte back right around September 1, although he is due to come off the 60-day DL on August 27.
But because of Pettitte’s age and their need for him to be healthy for the playoffs, the Yankees are in no way rushing back their 40-year old veteran lefty.
Pettitte is the all-time leader for pitchers with 19 postseason victories and they know how important he is if the Yankees want to win a 28th World Series.
Personally, I wouldn’t be too concerned with the slight setback, as it’s only temporary. If it were something like what Brett Gardner had gone through, then the level of concern would be a lot greater.
But for now, all signs are still pointing towards Pettitte making a September return to the Bronx.
Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.
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