Pettitte scratched from Saturday's start

Left-hander sustains mild ankle sprain Friday

By Jim Molony / MLB.com


WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Andy Pettitte sustained a mild sprain to his right ankle Friday, causing the Astros to postpone the veteran left-hander's first start of the spring Saturday at Chain of Lakes Park.

Pettitte, who underwent season-ending elbow surgery on Aug. 24, has been pitching in bullpen sessions and simulated games. He was supposed to make his Spring Training start against Cleveland, but was instead replaced by right-hander Tim Redding.

"I wouldn't call it a setback at all because his next outing he'll go three [innings]," Houston general manager Tim Purpura said. "He was coming down the steps in his house and he twisted it. He'd done the same thing earlier this spring. If this was the regular season we'd probably have him pitch, but being Spring Training where he was going to have to cover his position, cover bunts, cover first, whatever, it doesn't make any sense for him to [pitch].

"Especially coming off an elbow injury, we didn't want him thinking about another thing that he'd have to deal with in addition to the elbow rehab."

Pettitte stayed in Kissimmee and threw a bullpen session equivalent to two innings worth of pitches, the same amount he would have been scheduled to throw had he started against the Indians.

"He threw well, felt good," Purpura said. "It wasn't a matter of pitching, it was more a matter of covering his position. He'll throw another bullpen this week and he'll be on schedule to make his next start."

"He's doing pretty good," manager Phil Garner said. "It's not bad swollen. We'll see how he is and if he's A-OK he'll probably throw in the pen on Tuesday."

Due to an off day on Monday, that next start will likely come Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays at Osceola County Stadium.

Pettitte is scheduled to start the third game of the regular season behind Opening Day starter Roy Oswalt and second-game starter Roger Clemens.



[/i]Jim Molony is a reporter for MLB.com. This story[/i]


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Sammy Sosa's steroid sneeze [sp?] that sent him to the IL for weeks remains one of the most bizzare injuries I have ever seen.

Mr. Purpura should make a point to get Andy a "Step Maneuvering Coach (SMC)" before this thing gets out of hand. Once beaten - twice shy.