The Bronx, NY. – Left handed superstar Andy Pettitte is set to make his return to the New York Yankees starting rotation tonight. Pettitte will make his first regular season start in the majors since Oct. 2, 2010. He will be facing the Seattle Mariners.
Pettitte had announced his retirement following the 2010 season when he pitched in the American League Championship series. He came back to the Yankees in March and has been on extended Spring Training and a stint in the minors . In four minor league starts, he went 0-2 with a 3.71 ERA.
Despite being on regular rest and stretched out Pettitte will be facing a pitch count from Manager Joe Girardi on Sunday night.
ESPNNewYork.com reported that Girardi said,
“I think 100 pitches is fair to ask of him at this point because I think he went 93, 95, his last two starts and he’s had a couple of extra days here so physically he should be good,”
The Yankees starting rotation faced enormous expectations this season and also had a higher depth than in previous years. But with under performing pitchers and losing Freddy Garcia to the pen and Michael Pineda out for the season with an injury, Pettitte is hoping to recapture the magic that has produced 240 career regular season wins and a major league-record 19 postseason wins.
Girardi said,
“I think if you look at the division we’re in, you look at the American League we’re in, and the idea of fighting for a playoff spot, I know it’s only May, but I still think you’re fighting for a playoff spot. I think it’s really important that Andy is Andy.”