Andy Pettitte to Throw Simulated Game

Pettitte hasn’t thrown a pitch since June 27 after taking a liner off his leg. Image: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE

The New York Yankees have been taking on water of late and have fallen into a first-place tie with the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East. With just three weeks of baseball left in the regular season, time is running out. Fortunately, it looks like the Yankees will get some much-needed reinforcements soon.

Veteran southpaw Andy Pettitte is slated to throw a simulated game today after finally being cleared to begin a running and throwing program as he attempts to come back from a broken leg. Pettitte hopes to be ready to return the the Bombers’ starting rotation before the end of the regular season.

New York has dealt with injuries and ineffectiveness with most of their starters over the past month as they’ve watched their divisional lead shrink from 10 games to zero. Pettitte’s return is still probably at least two weeks away, but just the news that he’s throwing to hitters again has to be a breath of fresh air for pitching coach Larry Rothschild and manager Joe Girardi.

The Yankees continue their series in Boston tonight while Baltimore hosts Tampa Bay.

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