No, you are not the only person to do a double take on that headline.
YES Network’s Jack Curry is reporting the Yankees have signed Andy Pettitte to a one-year, $2.5 million minor league deal. Pettitte, who retired after the 2010 season, will reportedly not be ready for the start of the season.
It’s unclear where Pettitte would fit into an already crowded rotation. CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reports that Pettitte called the Yankees and wanted to come back. “How could you say ‘No?'” Heyman reported the Yankees’ sentiment as being.
The Yankees are locked into four starters — CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, Hiroki Kuroda and Michael Pineda — with Phil Hughes and Freddy Garcia battling for the final spot. Garcia was recently removed from a game after being hit by a line drive, but X-rays were negative and he was listed as day-to-day.
Pettitte was in Yankees camp earlier this spring, working as an instructor. He did throw batting practice, but showed no indication he was looking to make a return.
Pettitte was 11-3 with a 3.28 ERA in 2010, but he suffered through injuries much of the season and made just 21 starts.
He has 240 career victories and a 3.88 career ERA. He spent 13 seasons with New York and three with Houston.
