UPDATE: The Yankees just announced that Andy Pettitte left tonight’s start with a tight left trapezius muscle. That’s the upper back and neck area. It’s not clear whether he’ll need to miss any time.
9:24 PM: Here’s a potentially troubling development for the first-place Yankees.
According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Andy Pettitte left tonight’s start against the Mariners in the fifth inning with an apparent injury. The veteran southpaw appeared to be in some discomfort after he struck out Jason Bay and Kyle Seager to begin the frame. He was pulled from the ballgame after being visited by Yankees manager Joe Girardi and a team trainer.
No word yet on the exact nature of the injury, but it’s worth noting that Pettitte was skipped from a start last month due to back spasms.
Pettitte allowed two runs on four hits and three walks over 4 2/3 innings before exiting. The 40-year-old has a 3.83 ERA and 39/15 K/BB ratio in 49 1/3 innings over eight starts this season.
