Pettitte Won’t Push a Sore Back

By JACK CURRY

Published: March 24, 2008

TAMPA, Fla. — Andy Pettitte of the Yankees wanted to pick up a baseball and simply play catch Sunday, but the back spasms that have limited him the last four days continued to be a hindrance. Pettitte still felt discomfort in his lower back as he practiced his pitching motion, so he rested again.

With every day that Pettitte is slowed by the spasms, the chance that he will miss his scheduled start in the second game of the regular season increases. Pettitte said he was optimistic about being ready, but it was noteworthy that he added he was most concerned with being healthy for the entire season.

“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.”

Pettitte said the earliest he could make his next exhibition start would be Friday, a day later than the Yankees had hoped he would return. Pettitte’s highest pitch count has been 65, so he said he must make another start to reach 80 pitches and be prepared to throw 95 to 100 in his season debut. He plans to try to throw Monday.

If Pettitte cannot oppose the Toronto Blue Jays on April 2, the Yankees could use Jeff Karstens, who was belted for four runs in three innings in an 8-0 loss to the Pirates in Bradenton on Sunday, to replace him. Other options include Kei Igawa, who struck out eight in four scoreless innings in a minor league game, or Darrell Rasner. The Yankees could also push back Pettitte to the fourth or fifth game.

The Yankees need Pettitte, who led them with 34 starts last season, to be durable again. But for now, Pettitte says he is not sure when his back will feel sturdy enough for him to throw again.

“I want to make sure I’m healthy,” Pettitte said. “I don’t want to go into the season with a bad back.”

News source：http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/24/sports/baseball/24pettitte.html?_r=1&ref=baseball&oref=slogin