Pettitte to make minor league start Thursday

NEW YORK (AP) -Andy Pettitte will make a rehabilitation start for the Yankees' Double-A farm team at Trenton on Thursday night.

The 38-year-old left-hander has not pitched in a game since July 18 because of a strained left groin. He threw a bullpen session before Monday's 4-3 loss to Baltimore.

“I feel good,” he said.

Pettitte's rehab start will come in the Thunder's Eastern League playoff against New Hampshire. Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who had said before the game that Pettitte would pitch Trenton's opener Wednesday, then pushed Pettitte back a day to get him in rotation and projected he will throw four innings or 65 pitches, whichever comes first.

It's not certain whether Pettitte will make a second minor league appearance before rejoining the major league rotation.

“We'll see how it goes,” Girardi said. “Kind of anticipate that will probably be two rehab starts, but if it's one, it's one.”

With Austin Kearns bothered by a bone bruise on his right index finger, the Yankees recalled outfielder Colin Curtis from Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre. Kearns hopes to play in a few days.

“With just some of the injuries we have to the outfield, we felt we could use another outfielder,” Girardi said.

Right fielder Nick Swisher started for the first time since leaving Thursday's game against Oakland because of a stiff left knee. He went 0 for 3 with a walk.

“It felt a little sore, but that's to be expected,” he said. “It's just nice to be back out there.”