I don't think anyone, much less the New York Yankees, thought that Andy Pettitte would sashay into camp after a year off and immediately force his way into the big-league rotation. Pettitte said he needed at least a month in the minors, and the Yankees were happy to give it to him.
Andy Pettitte Roughed Up In Extended-Spring Game
But they might be getting a little nervous now. Just a little. From Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News:
Andy Pettitte gave up 6 runs (5 earned) over 5 2/3 innings in an extended spring game against the Phillies. (10 H, 0 BB, 8 K, 96 pitches).
— Mark Feinsand (@BloggingBombers) April 30, 2012
On the one hand, you have to love the strikeout/walk ratio. On the other hand, these were teenagers and 20-somethings we're talking about. If Pettitte is supposed to face the Adrian Gonzalezes and Jose Bautistas of the world, he'll need to show that he can handle the prospects of the world first.
Worth noting: Yankees manager Joe Girardi suggested the weather played a factor. If spring stats don't mean much, and the small-sample stats of a rehab effort don't mean much, then the stats accrued in an extended-spring game really shouldn't mean much. But seeing as the Yankees have already made a rotation move today -- removing Freddy Garcia in favor of David Phelps -- they might be getting just a little antsy about Pettitte. Just a little.
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