PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — The Yankees are trying to keep it slow with Andy Pettitte, but so far, it’s full speed ahead and the lefty is expected to throw his first batting practice tomorrow, according to manager Joe Girardi.
“Larry’s happy with where he’s at with his bullpen,” Girardi said of pitching coach Larry Rothschild.
Girardi considers the bullpen Pettitte threw on March 13 in Tampa as the official start of his spring training — not the one from Tuesday, which was his first after signing with the Yankees.
“A lot of guys throw two or three bullpens [before they face hitters],” the manager said. “Andy threw one for us 10 days ago and he threw another one in between at home.”
Pettitte is shooting for a return in early May.
“We just have to watch his legs,” Girardi said. “He’s thrown probably eight or nine bullpens — probably more than a lot of guys had thrown when they got here. Spring training is usually 6 1/2 weeks, so we’ll just have to wait and see. As of right now I don’t think [May 1] is unrealistic, but we might change our mind as we see things progress.”
* Nick Swisher sat out yesterday’s 5-2 exhibition victory over the Rays after feeling tightness in his right groin on Tuesday.
“He said he felt OK,” Girardi said. “We’ll take it day-by-day.”
* Girardi continues to like what he sees out of Alex Rodriguez, who went 1-for-2 with a double yesterday.
“He feels good and hopefully it stays that way,” the manager said. “He tore his meniscus [last year]. That’s not a pulled muscle. When you get that fixed, you get that fixed.”
* Derek Jeter (calf) is still expected to return tomorrow, while Freddy Garcia (bruised right hand) is now slated to start Saturday. David Robertson (foot) is scheduled to throw batting practice tomorrow and then the Yankees will “go from there,” according to Girardi.
* Raul Ibanez went 0-for-3 with two fly balls to left and a ground-out to first, as his spring training average dropped to .059.