Pettitte faces hitters for first time since leg injury

For the first time since suffering a left leg fracture in late-June, left-hander Andy Pettitte faced hitters in a simulated game/live batting practice this afternoon. He threw 15 pitches in one “inning,” facing four hitters — Casey McGehee (twice), Eduardo Nunez, Chris Dickerson. From the look of it, Andy was throwing with full effort or at least very close to it. He did use an L-screen, if you care about such things.

Pitching coach Larry Rothschild told Sweeny Murti that Pettitte was “excellent” and that his arm strength is right where they expected it to be. He’ll face hitters again on Friday, presumably stretching it out to 30 or so pitches. Although Triple-A Empire State and Double-A Trenton are in the postseason, it sounds like Pettitte will do all of his rehab work in sim games these next few weeks. Just eye-balling the schedule, September 26th or 27th is the absolute latest Andy could return while still making two regular season starts in advance of a potential postseason series.