Petttitte's Back Gets Scratched

"Oh, my back just locked"

The oldest starting pitcher in Major League Baseball is apparently feeling it. The Yankees announced that Andy Pettitte will be scratched from Sunday's start due to back spasms.

Phil Hughes is likely to get the start after his start was skipped due to a rainout and Cleveland and the desire to keep CC Sabathia on his regular rest. (With the rainy, cold weather in New York City on Friday, the Yankees should have pushed Sabathia back and day and let Hughes pitch tonight. Then Hiroki Kuroda could have gone on Sunday.)

Pettitte's been outstanding thus far with wins over Boston and Cleveland. He's thrown 15 innings with just three earned runs allowed and less hits than innings pitched.

Back to Concerns

Andy Pettitte has experienced back spasms in spring training in the past, but now that he's another year older, everyone is concerned.

Pettitte is slated to pitch the second game of the season, April 2nd vs. the Blue Jays at the Stadium. Joe Girardi may have to scuttle those plans based on what happens this week. Pettitte's pitch count has only reached 65 this spring. He needs another start, Friday at the earliest, to get to 80 pitches, and then must throw again to get to the 95-100 range needed. It's possible that Pettitte may have to stay back in Tampa to accomplish that feat.

“Even if you miss one start, you feel like it’s the end of the world,” Pettitte said. “I got to feel good to be able to go out there and pitch.”

If Pettitte has to miss a start or two, the Yankees would most likely turn to either Jeff Karstens or Darrell Rasner, rather than Kei Igawa. One of the two right-handers is likely to make the team as the long man in the pen.

Hopefully this isn't going to be an on-going situation, but you have to think that Brian Cashman will continue to search for another veteran pitcher.

Source: NY Times

Back to Concerns

Andy Pettitte has experienced back spasms in spring training in the past, but now that he's another year older, everyone is concerned.

Pettitte is slated to pitch the second game of the season, April 2nd vs. the Blue Jays at the Stadium. Joe Girardi may have to scuttle those plans based on what happens this week. Pettitte's pitch count has only reached 65 this spring. He needs another start, Friday at the earliest, to get to 80 pitches, and then must throw again to get to the 95-100 range needed. It's possible that Pettitte may have to stay back in Tampa to accomplish that feat.

“Even if you miss one start, you feel like it’s the end of the world,” Pettitte said. “I got to feel good to be able to go out there and pitch.”

If Pettitte has to miss a start or two, the Yankees would most likely turn to either Jeff Karstens or Darrell Rasner, rather than Kei Igawa. One of the two right-handers is likely to make the team as the long man in the pen.

Hopefully this isn't going to be an on-going situation, but you have to think that Brian Cashman will continue to search for another veteran pitcher.

Source: NY Times