MLB

Yankees’ Pettitte: Tinkering not the answer

DENVER — The last time a struggling Andy Pettitte tinkered with something was 1999 — when searching to find himself in a miserable start against the White Sox in Chicago, he dropped his arm into sidearm position.

Since then, Pettitte hasn’t gone into the laboratory to fix things when trouble surfaces. So, it is not a surprise the veteran lefty hasn’t toyed with a new delivery, release point or a change in strategy as he attempts to put an end to a two-game slide that has been caused by a misbehaving cut fastball.

“I feel like the only thing I can do is work through it,’’ said Pettitte, who starts Saturday night against the Royals in Kansas City. “It’s been so long [since he tinkered] that I can’t remember. I just have to work through it.’’

Reminded how strange it looked in 1999 to see Pettitte drop down similar to a lefty specialist against a lefty hitter, Pettitte said: “I do remember that. It was a long time ago.’’

In Pettitte’s two previous outings he went 0-1 with a 9.65 ERA. In 9 1/3 innings Pettitte allowed 14 hits and five walks.

The problem, according to Pettitte, is the cutter hasn’t shown up. Still, he says it’s up to him to find other ways to survive.

“It’s not like I don’t have a great feel for the curveball or the change-up,’’ Pettitte says. “What I haven’t done the last two games is realize I don’t have [the cutter] and figure it out and get through six innings.’’

* Curtis Granderson played right field in his first game with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Thursday night and survived without any mishaps.

Granderson, who has been out since fracturing his right forearm during his first at-bat of the spring, played seven innings and went 1-for-3 with a sixth-inning infield single in a 2-1, 11-inning loss to Indianapolis and Indians’ prospect Gerrit Cole. He also fielded a double and a single in the field and will continue to move around the outfield, since the Yankees have opened the door once again to leaving Brett Gardner in center.

Granderson is expected to play with SWB at least through the weekend.

* Eduardo Nunez fielded ground balls indoors and made throws but didn’t swing a bat. Nunez said he will test the left rib cage problem in the batting cage today and if he doesn’t feel discomfort thinks he can play against the Royals.

Manager Joe Girardi said Nunez, who hasn’t played since leaving Sunday’s game, was available in an emergency situation yesterday when he wasn’t needed.

“Rib cages are tricky, let’s make sure he is OK before he goes out there,’’ Girardi said before the Yankees’ 3-2 victory over the Rockies at Coors Field.

As an insurance policy in the event Nunez’s injury forces him to the DL, the Yankees acquired minor league shortstop Alberto Gonzalez from the Cubs last night in exchange for a player to be named or cash considerations.

Gonzalez, who hit .217 in 11 games for the Cubs this season, was part of the trade the Yankees made to bring Randy Johnson to The Bronx in 2007. Gonzalez has played in parts of eight major league seasons with five different teams.

Nunez described Thursday as a positive step.

“[Wednesday] it was sore, today no soreness,’’ Nunez said.

* Girardi didn’t need to be reminded that Mariano Rivera is returning to Kansas City’s Kauffman Stadium Friday night for the first time since suffering a severe knee injury last May 3 shagging batting practice fly balls.

On Wednesday, Rivera said he had no worries about going back to Kauffman. And he said if a batting practice fly ball takes him to the spot in left-center where he collapsed, so be it.

“Maybe I will cancel BP,’’ Girardi said when informed Rivera will continue to shag.

Girardi has noticed Rivera scaling back his BP routine.

“He doesn’t run after fly balls like he used to,’’ Girardi said. “But I am not challenging him.’’

* Girardi won’t commit to Ivan Nova for one of two games Monday in Cleveland. Nevertheless, even after CC Sabathia threw just 51 pitches in four innings and was lifted after an almost two-hour rain delay, the manager said he wouldn’t use his ace on short rest Monday.

“We will worry about that as we get a little bit closer,’’ Girardi said of who will join David Phelps starting against the Indians. “Nova could make that start for us, he is in line and we have other candidates.’’

From the current 25-man roster Girardi could choose from long relievers Adam Warren and Vidal Nuno.

Nova, who is on the DL with right biceps inflammation, wasn’t sharp Wednesday in an extended spring training game. In four-plus innings he walked four. Afterward Nova said he believes he is ready to rejoin the big league team because his arm is pain free.

The Yankees can add Nova and not subtract from the 25-man roster because clubs get 26 players for doubleheaders.

If they start Nova on Monday, there is a possibility he could be optioned following the assignment. He also could stay with Phelps moving to the bullpen and Preston Claiborne or Nuno being sent out.

*

When Girardi started Ichiro Suzuki against Rockies lefty Jorge De La Rosa Tuesday he pointed to Suzuki’s ability to hit left-handed pitching. Yesterday against lefty Jeff Francis, Girardi used the right-handed hitting Ben Francisco in right field and kept Suzuki, who was hitting a team-high .359 (14-for-39) against lefties.

Francisco was at .103 (3-for-29) and isn’t the defensive player Ichiro is.

Ichiro was 4-for-6 with a homer off Francis. Francisco, who doubled and scored in the fourth against Francis, was 1-for-4 with a homer and RBI.

*

Sabathia was obviously disappointed that a long rain delay ended his day after four innings, but was equally down about not getting a third chance to erase two strikeouts at the plate.

“I was disappointed I didn’t get any more at-bats,’’ said Sabathia, who looked bad striking out in the second and fourth innings against Francis. “I was horrible. I am sure my son is going to get all over me when I get home.’’

*

There are signs Joba Chamberlain will be ready when he is eligible to come off the DL, but Girardi said he wants to see the right-handed reliever throw off a mound before getting too excited.

“He says he feels much better playing catch which is a good sign, but until he gets off the mound and turns it up a little bit you really don’t know,’’ Girardi said.

Chamberlain is eligible to come off the DL Monday when the Yankees likely will need multiple relievers because they are playing two games in Cleveland.

— Additional reporting by Dan Martin