Left-hander Andy Pettitte made his second Florida State League start Sunday afternoon for Tampa against Clearwater. In four scoreless innings, Pettitte gave up two singles while throwing 47 pitches. He retired the first 10 hitters while getting three swinging strikeouts.
Manager Joe Girardi had just received the information when he walked into his pregame press briefing and seemed pleased with what he heard.
Girardi said that the next step for Pettitte is to make another start and increase his pitch count by roughly 15 pitches.
Rehabbing reliever David Aardsma was at the game and tweeted this update on his account: “Easy third inning, six pitches, three outs.”
Pineda’s rehab to continue
Michael Pineda will throw his first bullpen since being placed on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis. That does not mean Pineda would be on the fast track towards returning.
Girardi said that he might require a full spring training consisting of six starts to become fully ready for major league hitters.
More Jackie Robinson
Whenever Mariano Rivera decides to end his career, count Jackie Robinson’s daughter Sharon Robinson as one of the biggest fans of the last player to wear No. 42.
“We love him.” Robinson said. “He’s done some work with the Jackie Robinson Foundation and he’s a really good guy. If you have one person wearing it, I’m very happy it’s Mo. He’s wearing it proudly. He’s a really positive person and when he retires, I hope he gives us the jersey so we can auction if off for the Jackie Robinson Foundation.
Robinson, who is Jackie Robinson’s only daughter, also said that a movie called “42” is in pre-production. It is slated for a 2013 release and stars Chadwick Boseman as her father, Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey and Christopher Meloni as manager Leo Durocher.
Follow Yankees beat writer Larry Fleisher on Twitter @LarryFleisher.
