Andy Pettitte To Return To Yankees On Sunday
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) - The waiting is over for Yankees fans. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman announced on Tuesday that Andy Pettitte will make his comeback on Sunday against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium.
Pettitte attended Yankees camp this spring as a guest instructor before signing a minor-league contract for $2.5 million on March 16. He was expected to be a luxury and provide depth to one of the strongest and deepest rotations, but now he is needed to help stabilize a struggling starting staff that has the 11th-best ERA in the American League.
Pettitte made three starts in the minors this season pitching once each for Tampa, Trenton and Wilkes-Barre Scranton. He pitched 17 innings, allowing seven earned runs on 19 hits in the three starts.
Pettitte announced his retirement from the Yankees on Feb. 4, 2011 following an All-Star season in which he went 11-3 with a 3.28 ERA.
"Everybody's in agreement he's not going to benefit from any more time below," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday.
"I think the fans are excited. I know Andy's really excited," Cashman said.
The plan for Pettitte to start this weekend could shift if rain hangs around, he said.
"We have weather issues all week and reserve the right to change our mind," Cashman said.
Pettitte is 240-138 lifetime, spending 13 years with the Yankees and three seasons with Houston.
The Yankees have been eager for Pettitte to rejoin their rotation. They recently demoted starter Freddy Garcia to the bullpen and Phil Hughes had been struggling until a good start last weekend at Kansas City.
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