Looks like one year away from the Yankees pinstripes was too much for Andy Pettitte to handle. The popular homegrown pitcher is ready for a comeback in the Bronx.
The Yankees announced in a press release Friday afternoon that the 39-year-old lefty ended his brief retirement on Friday, signing a minor league deal with Yankees. The deal is worth $2.5 million with incentives, according to reports.
Pettitte, who has spent some time at Yankees camp this year, last played in 2010, becoming the first member of the Core Four to hang up the pinstripes and ride off into the sunset. The core dwindled to two after Jorge Posada announced his retirement this off-season, but now it’s back to three—assuming of course, that Pettitte makes the team.
According to the New York Daily News, Pettitte “got the itch” to come back, after checking out Spring Training this year, an unnamed source told the publication.
He came to camp as an instructor and reportedly threw batting practice for the ballclub.
Pettitte went 11-3 for the Yankees in 2010, posting a 3.28 ERA. In his retirement press conference after the season the Texas-native was convinced his body could still hold up for another grueling year in the big leagues, but admitted his heart just wasn’t in it.
That didn’t last long.
The surprising news is probably the biggest piece of information coming out of an unusually quiet Yankees camp this year. But plenty of questions remain unanswered, and will likely remain that way for some time.
The Yankees currently have six pitchers competing for a spot in the starting rotation. Freddy Garcia’s attempt to win the job of fifth starter stalled after he was hit in his right hand.
So, where would Pettitte fit in?
Nobody knows just yet.
The Yankees are three weeks away from Opening Day, and because of the late start, it’s unlikely that Pettitte would be ready when the Yankees break camp.
