TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — The New York Yankees’ hopes of repeating as World Series champions could have a lot to do with the outcome of a minor league playoff game.
Left-hander Andy Pettitte is scheduled to make a rehabilitation start Thursday night for the Double-A Trenton Thunder as he makes his way back from a groin injury in July.
The 38-year-old Pettitte was off to one of his best starts with an 11-2 record and a 2.88 ERA in 18 starts.
Pettitte will pitch in New Jersey against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in Game 2 of the Eastern League playoffs.
A healthy Pettitte is crucial to the Yanks’ chances, in light of the continued ineffectiveness of starters A.J. Burnett and Javier Vazquez, and the recent inconsistency of Phil Hughes.
