Yankees’ Andy Pettitte ready to return

New York Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte threw 55 pitches in a simulated game Wednesday at Fenway Park, and now believes he’s ready to start next week.

“I did everything I needed to do. I felt good. It’s another step,” he said. “They felt like my stuff was great. I just don’t know what the next step is, hopefully I’ll get back in the rotation. That’s what I want to do.”

Pettitte suffered a broken left ankle June 27 on a line drive hit against Cleveland.

“It’s just a matter of what they’re comfortable with, with this team, knowing I can’t give you 100 pitches,” he said. “There’s a lot of different factors. I’m sure we’ll talk about it and hopefully I can convince them. I feel great. My leg’s feeling great. Hopefully it’ll be the stamina – that’s the only thing.”

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said it will be a group decision between general manager Brian Cashman and the medical staff.

“He means a lot to this club. We’ve seen that. We saw that a lot the first time,” Girardi said. “We went on quite a roll. If they deem he’s ready to move around like he has to, he’ll be out there.”

Pettitte is 3-3 with a 3.22 ERA in nine starts this season.