TRENTON — Andy Pettitte isn’t joining the Yankees starting rotation anytime soon.
After making it through the fourth start of his comeback unscathed, Pettitte and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman each said the left-hander would need at least two more starts before he could consider returning to the major leagues.
“We have to play it safe,” Cashman said. “We have to make sure when and if he’s ready that it’s going to be something he can maintain and stay consistently healthy.
“I’m ecstatic about how he pitched,” he said. “He’s got more to go but he looks good.”
After throwing 66 pitches in his previous start for High-A Tampa, Pettitte threw 81 pitches, including 59 strikes, across five-plus innings for Double-A Trenton Wednesday night against Erie.
The 39-year-old left-hander allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits, striking out three and walking one and took the loss in a 10-4 Erie win.
“I felt good,” Pettitte said. “It was another step in the right direction. [I am] a little disappointed with my command. … [There were] a few more mistakes than I have been making.“All in all, another good step forward. I got in some trouble, and had to pitch out of it.”
It may have been another step forward, but it was nowhere near a leap enough forward for Pettitte to be deemed ready for the Yankees rotation, with Cashman saying it could take even longer than the expected two more minor league starts Pettitte was scheduled to make before he’ll be ready.
He compared Pettitte’s current conditioning level to that of a pitcher midway through his spring training routine.
“He was still going to go two starts after this, regardless,” Cashman said. “He’s still building arm strength. He’s 40 years old.… spending a year out pitching in extended spring, two Florida State League games and one in Double-A? That’s not going to get you ready for the big leagues. That’s a dangerous proposition to play.
“I’m not necessarily worried about anything with Andy’s arm. I’m more worried about his lower-half and his legs, and how he recovers and letting his body speak for him.”
The team’s pitching depth took a major blow Wednesday when it was revealed Michael Pineda would be lost for the season with a torn labrum.
Pettitte said he knew how his old teammates were doing, and desperately wants to get back to The Bronx to play with them.
“I’ve been watching every game,” Pettitte said before the Yankees lost 7-3 to the Rangers. “I’m going crazy, obviously, to get back up there and go to battle with those guys, that’s for sure.”