ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The next step in Andy Pettitte’s return from the disabled list is a scheduled simulated game at the Yankees’ minor league complex Tuesday.
Of course, that’s predicated on the veteran lefty not having any problems today with the left trapezius muscle problem that has him on the shelf.
Pettitte threw a bullpen session yesterday at Tropicana Field before the Yankees’ 4-3 11-inning victory over the Rays and reported no discomfort.
“It felt good,” said Pettitte, who’s eligible to come off the disabled list on Saturday. “I’ll see how I feel [today] and go from there.’’
Pettitte, 40, said he is confident he could pitch in a big league game without a simulated game.
“With this bullpen [session] I feel good,” he said. “We could go right into a game.’’
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That won’t happen, and there is no guarantee the Yankees will activate Pettitte the day he is eligible, because they are very conservative with injuries, especially to pitchers.
* Joba Chamberlain worked two innings of an extended spring training game yesterday against the Pirates at the Yankees’ minor league complex.
Chamberlain took a smash off the right calf in the first frame but stayed in the game.
“It could be his last appearance but one thing we know is that he needs a couple of days off after two innings,’’ manager Joe Girardi said of the right-handed reliever who has been on the DL since April 28 with a strained right oblique muscle.
* David Phelps said he believes he will start Wednesday against the Mets at Yankee Stadium. Manager Joe Girardi is not so sure.
Phelps was forced out of Friday night’s game when he took a liner on the inside of the right forearm. Yesterday, he had a wrap around what he described as a “bruise.’’
“I’ll make it, I’ll be good to go,’’ Phelps said.
“If we feel a need to protect him we will,’’ Girardi said. “He’s picked up a baseball. We’ll see how he feels when he plays catch and throws a bullpen [session].’’
Today is Phelps’ scheduled day to throw, but that session could be reduced or put off until tomorrow.
“It’s bruised and a little stiff but nothing I wasn’t expecting,’’ Phelps said. “I woke up a little stiff and sore, but I’ll be ready to go.’’
* Hiroki Kuroda threw a full bullpen session yesterday, and though his bruised right calf isn’t completely healed, the right-hander said he is on track to start Tuesday night against the Mets.
“There was a little tightness but I’m OK,’’ said Kuroda, who left in the third inning Wednesday night against the Orioles after taking a Manny Machado ball off his leg in the second inning.
Asked about starting Tuesday, Kuroda replied, “That’s what I’m planning to do.’’
* The Yankees acquired lefty reliever David Huff off waivers from the Indians, and he will report to the big league club.
It’s possible the Yankees were waiting to activate Huff until after last night’s game as lefty Vidal Nuno, who started, could be sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make room for a second lefty in Girardi’s pen.
The Yankees designated lefty Francisco Rondon for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.
Huff, 28, made three relief appearances with the Indians, allowing five earned runs in three innings.
* The Yankees recalled outfielder Brennan Boesch from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take Curtis Granderson’s spot on the 25-man roster. Boesch, who was was optioned May 13, had a pinch-RBI double in the ninth inning .
“I felt a little rusty the first couple of games, the last two games I felt good,’’ Boesch said.