NEW YORK — Yankees left- hander Andy Pettitte is expected to miss four to five weeks with a Grade 1 left groin strain suffered in the third inning of Sunday’s game against the Rays at Yankee Stadium.
Making his first start since pitching in the All-Star Game on Tuesday night, the 38-year- old left-hander never appeared comfortable on a humid, 91-degree afternoon. He made a diving play on Carl Crawford’s sacrifice bunt in the first inning, moments before giving up a three-run homer to Carlos Peña.
Pettitte flexed his left leg after falling behind in the count 3-1 to Kelly Shoppach in the third. Yankees manager Joe Girardi, pitching coach Dave Eiland and trainer Gene Monahan came out to check on Pettitte, who grimaced through a warmup pitch and then bent over at the knees before coming out of the game.
Zambrano’s return closer.
Carlos Zambrano could rejoin the Cubs by the end of the month. Manager Lou Piniella says the right-hander will likely pitch a simulated game today at the team’s training complex in Mesa, Ariz., and his next stop would be Triple-A Iowa.
Piniella says Zambrano (3-6, 5.66 ERA) could rejoin the Cubs during their six-game road trip that starts July 26. Zambrano was placed on the restricted list June 29 and has had to attend anger management sessions after a dugout confrontation with teammate Derrek Lee on June 25.
Footnotes.
Astros right-hander Roy Oswalt left Sunday’s game against the Pirates after being hit on an ankle by a line drive. … Second baseman Luis Castillo (bruised heel) will return to the Mets’ lineup today, and left-hander Oliver Perez could be activated as soon as Wednesday.
The Associated Press
