Andy Pettitte Roughed up in Minor League Start

Andy Pettitte was roughed up during his latest minor league rehab start.  Pettitte took the mound yesterday for the New York Yankees Triple-A affiliate, allowing five runs over his five innings of work.  It’s expected that Pettitte will make at least one more start in the minors before making his season debut for the Yankees.

Pettitte surrendered five runs (three earned) on eight hits and two walks (one with the bases loaded).  59 of Pettitte’s 92 pitches went for strikes, and the veteran left-hander struck out five batters.

With his pitch count now into the 90’s, Pettitte is technically ready to make the jump to the majors.  However, after his shaky performance in his first rehab start at the Triple-A level, Pettitte figures to make at least one more appearance in the minors before taking the ball for the Yankees.

While his most recent start wasn’t pretty, Pettitte has still maintained an ERA and WHIP of 3.71 and 1.294 over his four starts spanning 17 innings.  During that time, Pettitte has struck out 13 while walking three.

Though the Yankees won’t want to rush the 39-year-old Pettitte, they are certainly in need of pitching assistance.  While their bullpen has been strong, the Yankees rotation has been atrocious to start the season.

Hiroki Kuroda is the only Yankees starter with an ERA south of 4.15.  C.C. Sabathia has been solid (1.08 WHIP), but Ivan Nova (1.76 WHIP), Phil Hughes (6.67 ERA) and Freddy Garcia (12.51 ERA) have all struggled mightily.

Garcia has already been demoted to the bullpen and, depending on how he performs in the coming weeks, Hughes could be next when Pettitte is available.

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