After watching Sergio Mitre get smacked around for seven runs — five earned — in 4.1 innings against the Royals, any news about a better starter is welcome, and progress from the injured Andy Pettitte is even better. Well, consider this good news then: Pettitte says his groin is feeling good, and he could return sooner than expected. The lefty played catch for five minutes at 60 feet today and reported no problems. He’ll fly to Tampa on Monday to continue his rehab. “I feel good. I’m not having any problems at all,” he said. “They told me to take it day-by-day. As soon as I can start long tossing, that’ll be great, because I can keep my arm strength up.”
Pettitte, 11-2 with a 2.88 ERA, is eligible to come off the disabled list on August 2, but the Yankees plan to be cautious with him. The team doesn’t want this problem to linger throughout the stretch drive, and Pettitte will probably make a rehab start before returning to the Bronx. “It’s one thing to walk around, it’s another thing to get off the mound and push. I’m very happy with the progress he’s making and that he feels good. I’ll feel a lot better when he starts throwing off the mound and says he doesn’t feel anything, because that’s where you’re going to exert yourself in that area,” Joe Girardi said. “Whatever it takes, when he comes back, I don’t want this to be a recurring problem.”
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