Pettitte Still Needs His Pitching Legs

From George A. King III:

Andy Pettitte’s arm is fine, but his legs still require work.

“They are not in shape,’’ the Yankees pitcher said after throwing two innings of a simulated game at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa on Saturday morning. “I don’t know how I will continue to progress. … Normally you hit a point where you kind of go, but … I could definitely tell that I wouldn’t have had many more pitches and being strong where I want to get them.’’

Pettitte threw 33 pitches (25 strikes) in an exercise that began at 8:15 Saturday morning.

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Manager Joe Girardi, who with pitching coach Larry Rothschild watched Pettitte throw, has hinted the left-hander could pitch in the final spring training game Wednesday against the Mets at GMS Field. That, however, is in doubt.

“The last thing I want to do is rush something,” Pettitte said. “My point is that it’s not that big of a deal.’’

“That would be coming back early and that’s not something we are looking for,’’ Girardi said.

With Michael Pineda starting the season on the disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis, Pettitte was asked if there was any way he would try to accelerate his comeback. Most estimates have him ready for the big leagues early next month.

“Not at this point, it wouldn’t be smart,’’ Pettitte said. “It all depends on how I go out there and throw my pitches. [The simulated game] was great, but it’s not a real game. It’s still not another team.’’