TAMPA — With memories of postseasons past dancing in their heads, many of Andy Pettitte’s former teammates welcomed the news of his return to the Yankees.
“Andy can help us big-time,” said Mariano Rivera, who tried to talk him into coming back when Pettitte visited spring training earlier in camp. “If it takes for me to say something, I will say something.”
“It’s great,” Derek Jeter said. “Andy’s done a lot for this organization and all the guys love him.”
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some mixed feelings — at least among the pitchers the 39-year-old will be competing with for a spot in the rotation after he signed a minor league deal worth $2.5 million Friday.
“You play with the Yankees, nothing surprises you,” said Freddy Garcia, still nursing a bruised right hand — and ego. “I don’t really care. That’s their decision. I have to pitch and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Garcia didn’t give off the feeling he would be rolling out the red carpet when Pettitte is scheduled to arrive to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, but added that the lefty’s presence wouldn’t impact what he did this spring.
Manager Joe Girardi agreed.
“I haven’t seen a change in Freddy’s personality,” said Girardi, before adding to the staff in general: “My message would be, ‘If you don’t want someone to take your job, go out and pitch well.’ It’s not like Andy will break camp with us April 6.”
Garcia, who unlike most of those around him in the clubhouse doesn’t have a history with Pettitte, was asked if he thought the signing was good for the team.
“I don’t know,” he said. “Ask the people. I guess.”
Garcia isn’t the only one who figures to be affected by Pettitte, but he was the only one who didn’t seem to welcome the addition to the fray.
“I just got to keep pitching the way I pitch, and I don’t think it’s going to be any problem,” Ivan Nova said, “I always say I’m in competition.”
Though players like Nova and Garcia were caught off-guard, Jeter seemed to have an inkling it might happen before Friday’s announcement.
“I knew he was itching,” Jeter said of Pettitte’s desire to return to the mound. “He was thinking about it.”
Jeter had a different take than most as to what may have prompted the comeback.
“He retired mainly because he wanted to spend time with his family,” Jeter said. “Maybe Momma got tired of him a little bit.”
Jeter was kidding, but he was serious about liking the idea of having his former teammate around and is confident Pettitte can return to his 2010 form, when he went 11-3 with a 3.28 ERA for the Yankees.
“Yeah, why not?” Jeter said. “I don’t think he would come back if he didn’t think that.”
Jeter said he thought the week Pettitte spent in camp last month influenced his decision.
“I don’t see how it wouldn’t,” Jeter said. “If you think about doing something, then you get here and realize how much you miss it.”
Though no one can be sure how difficult it will be for Pettitte to complete the comeback, Girardi said he doesn’t doubt him.
“Our expectation is that he’s going to be what he was when he left,” Girardi said. “I wouldn’t bet against Andy Pettitte.”