Yankees' Rotation Competition Ongoing

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi said his rotation might not be finalized until the end of spring training.

Ivan Nova, Phil Hughes, Michael Pineda and Freddy Garcia are competing for three spots behind opening day starter CC Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda.

Girardi said before Saturday's game against Detroit that he is going back and forth regarding the decision.

"When you're talking about the six guys, they're all so close,'' Girardi said. "Is it going to be a tough decision? I've kind of resigned myself to that fact at this point because the guys are throwing the ball well.''

Andy Pettitte, who ended his brief retirement by recently signing a minor league contract, could be ready to pitch in the majors by May 1.

"That's down the road,'' Girardi said. "Sometimes things have a way of working themselves out by then.''

Pettitte had a batting practice session on Friday and will throw off a bullpen mound Sunday. It is possible the left-hander will pitch in a spring training game before the team breaks camp on April 4.

Also, David Robertson, sidelined by a bruised right foot, is scheduled to pitch Sunday. The eighth-inning set-up man threw in a simulated game on Friday.

Girardi also confirmed Saturday that reliever Joba Chamberlain had dislocated his right ankle on a trampoline.

Chamberlain was hurt while playing with his son Thursday at a local spot that had trampoline and related type of equipment.

"I know he did it on the trampoline, that he was bouncing,'' Girardi said on Saturday.

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Yankees general manager Brian Cashman visited Chamberlain in the hospital and said the 26-year-old pitcher told him he could be released from the medical facility this weekend.

"From the baseball stuff, he was doing great," Cashman said. "I feel bad because I know how much he loves his game, and how much he was looking forward to coming back ahead of schedule. It's clearly derailed that, but what more does that mean, I don't know. A lot of things must be running through his mind."

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Cashman said Chamberlain's son, Karter was not hurt.

Chamberlain had surgery Thursday night. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound righty was working his way back from elbow ligament replacement surgery and was expected to return in June.

He has had an up-and-down career since joining the team in August 2007. He started out 2-0 with an 0.38 ERA in 19 relief appearances.

Cashman did not have the results Saturday morning on Chamberlain's MRI exam and CT scan, which were done on Friday.

There is no timetable for Chamberlain's return.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)