Pettitte Suffers Setback In Rehab
(Daily News) KANSAS CITY - Andy Pettitte's timetable to return the rotation hit a minor speed bump Thursday. At least the Yankees are hoping it's minor.
Pettitte suffered a minor setback as a sore left hip flexor tendon caused his simulated game to be pushed back at least one day.
"He said he was sitting on his couch, he got up and felt stiff," Joe Girardi said. "He backed off, which was smart. If it takes a couple extra days, it takes a couple extra days. He's going to see how he feels tomorrow."
It's unclear whether this setback will delay Pettitte's rehab, as the lefthander will try to throw his two simulated innings Friday in Tampa. If Pettitte throws on Friday, he could make his first minor-league rehab start on Wednesday, but the Yankees plan to be very careful with the 38-year-old lefthander.
"We'd love to have him back as soon as possible. But it is what it is, so you have to deal with it," Girardi said. "If you have to push it back a couple days, you push it back. The last thing you want is a real big setback, because then you're talking about another month or six weeks. We'll be cautious with it."
Pettitte has been out since July 19 with a strained left groin. Girardi said it's unclear whether the hip-flexor issue is related to the groin injury.
If Pettitte still feels any tightness in the hip-flexor area today, he could be sent for tests. Although the setback appears to be minor, Girardi acknowledged some concern on Pettitte's part.
"When you don't stay on schedule, as a player, you're going to be a little bit concerned," Girardi said. "I told him, 'Let's be cautious and let's be smart. If we push it back another day besides tomorrow, we push it back. We'll get you back.'"
