TRENTON, N.J. — Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte pitched four shutout innings in a minor-league rehab start Thursday night and said it felt good to be back on the mound.
Pettitte allowed two hits and struck out four in Double-A Trenton’s Eastern League playoff game against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. He had 37 strikes among his 51 pitches.
“I want to get back,” he said after detouring to the bullpen for an additional 14 pitches. “I want to pitch in the big leagues as soon as I can and help my club. I feel I can give us a pretty decent four or five innings my next time out if I have to make a big- league start.”
The location of Pettitte’s next outing could depend on how well Trenton does in the postseason. The Thunder won 1-0 on Rene Rivera’s homer in the 12th inning and lead 2-0 in the best-of-five playoff series.
Pettitte, 11-2 with a 2.88 ERA in 18 starts with the Yankees, hasn’t appeared in a major-league game since July 18 because of a strained left groin and said he still needs to build stamina.
Polanco playing with broken elbow
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco is playing with a small break in his left elbow, but is postponing surgery until after the season.
Polanco is batting .308 with six homers and 47 RBIs for the Phillies, who lead the NL East by a game over the Braves.
“I have a broken elbow, but it is rather small and will be operated on at the end of the year,” Polanco said. “It is something minor, less than half an hour (the surgery), and rehabilitation will take only a month.”
• The Phillies claimed right-hander Cesar Carrillo off waivers from San Diego and designated left-hander Nate Robertson for assignment.
Footnotes.
Padres infielder Jerry Hairston Jr. threw for the first time since going on the disabled list with a sprained right elbow and said he’s “pleasantly surprised” after making 30-40 throws at about 80 percent.
• The Red Sox claimed right-hander Matt Fox off waivers from the Twins.
• The Diamondbacks acquired right- hander Matt Gorgen from Tampa Bay to complete the trade that sent reliever Chad Qualls to the Rays.
The Associated Press
