Andy Pettitte Injury: Updates on Yankees Pitcher’s Status
May 16, 2013 · Tyler Conway · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
The New York Yankees have been clobbered by injuries to tentpole players before and during the 2013 season, and now they could be without pitcher Andy Pettitte.
UPDATE: Friday, May 17 at 6:04 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford
According to YES Network reporter Meredith Marakovits, Pettitte will be placed on the disabled list:
—End of update—
UPDATE: Thursday, May 16 at 9:55 p.m. ET by Kyle Vassalo
According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Andy Pettitte left tonight’s game with a tight trapezius muscle:
—End of Update—
According to Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times, the Yankees starter left after 4.2 innings of Thursday night’s game against the Seattle Mariners with an apparent injury:
Pettitte had thrown just 79 pitches before being taken out, so fatigue is unlikely the cause of this problem. The 40-year-old left-hander was struggling a bit with command against Seattle, walking three batters and allowing two earned runs before being taken out of the game.
While there is no word on what Pettitte’s injury is or how long he could be sidelined, New York can ill-afford to be without him for long.
The Yankees, riddled by injuries to stars like Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson and Alex Rodriguez this year, have managed to take the American League East lead thanks to strong pitching performances. They rank fifth in the American League in ERA and have gotten 23 quality starts this season, third in the AL.
Pettitte has been among the most notable contributors to that cause. In seven starts prior to Thursday night, Pettitte had a 4-2 record with a 3.83 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. His performances have been ripe with top-flight control and a signature command over hitters with his cut fastball.
However, Thursday’s injury could dampen that parade for the ageless lefty. While performance has never been much of an issue throughout Pettitte’s career, he’s increasingly seen himself on the trainer’s table.
Pettitte returned to New York in 2012 from a brief retirement and has struggled with injuries over the past two years. He made only 12 starts last season after fracturing his ankle, returning late in the season for the Yankees postseason run.
Earlier this season Pettitte had a start pushed back due to back spasms, which cropped up throughout April.
As noted by Baker, Pettitte was replaced by Shawn Kelley, who recorded the final out of the fifth inning. Pettitte left as the pitcher of record for Thursday’s game.
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