TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -Still back home in Houston, Andy Pettitte will throw a bullpen session Saturday to keep up with his teammates before he arrives at spring training.
Pettitte was given permission to report four days late following a congressional ordeal in which he corroborated accusations that Roger Clemens used performance-enhancing drugs. Pettitte will travel to Florida on Monday and address reporters at Legends Field, according to general manager Brian Cashman.
“I think to be a little bit concerned is natural, but my instinct is that he will handle it well,” Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said.
Pettitte had a difficult offseason in which he was named in December’s Mitchell Report, and two days later admitted he used human growth hormone for two days in 2002. His son, Josh, was injured in an auto accident.
Pettitte also was questioned by congressional lawyers about accusations by Brian McNamee that Clemens used steroids and human growth hormone.
r trainer, and Pettitte said in a deposition and affidavit released this week that Clemens had discussed use of performance-enhancing drugs with him nearly a decade ago. Clemens has denied the charges, putting Pettitte in a difficult position.
Pettitte also admitted he used HGH in 2004, saying he obtained it from his father.
“As soon as he gets on the baseball field, I think he’s able to forget it real quick and concentrate on baseball,” catcher Jorge Posada said. “We’ve got a lot of guys here that are going to support him and give him everything, all the support that he needs.”
Mariano Rivera called Pettitte to make sure the pitcher was OK, and Posada said he sent text messages whenever he saw Pettitte on television.
“Definitely, it’s a distraction,” Rivera said. “Andy’s a strong guy.”
Posada and Rivera both were surprised Pettitte used HGH. They wouldn’t choose sides between Clemens’ account and Pettitte’s.
“I don’t get in the middle of that. I don’t like to assume who’s right and who’s not,” Rivera said.
New manager Joe Girardi spoke with Pettitte on Thursday.
31.”
Posada also expressed admiration for Clemens and predicted the matter would wind up in court.
“I support him. He said he never took it, I’m behind him 100 percent,” Posada said. “Rocket is one of my favorite teammates. It doesn’t really take anything away from what he did. He’s always been, for me, probably the best pitcher I’ve ever caught. … He sounded real truthful the other day. That’s all I wanted to hear. I’ll believe Rocket. That’s the guy, I believe.”
Notes: Rivera said Joba Chamberlain will start the season as his setup man, the role the rookie filled so sensationally during the final two months of last season. Girardi said Chamberlain will work with the starters early in spring training but the manager wouldn’t commit to Chamberlain’s role when the season starts. … Hank Steinbrenner on the AL pennant race: “We’re one of the five best, and no nobody really knows who’s better than who at this point. There’s Detroit, Boston, Cleveland, there’s Anaheim, and there might be a couple others as well. … With (Johan) Santana, we’d be the favorite right now. I’d like to win it this year. But we had a have a chance, and it will only get better.” … Hideki Matsui took batting practice for the first time since offseason knee surgery. … Posada used a lighter to burn and tighten the stitching on his catcher’s mask.
Add A Comment
THIS IS NOT A GAMBLING SITE – If you think you have a gambling problem click here.
Disclaimer: This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Individual users are responsible for the laws regarding accessing gambling information from their jurisdictions. Many countries around the world prohibit gambling, please check the laws in your location. Any use of this information that may violate any federal, state, local or international law is strictly prohibited.
Copyright: The information contained on TheSpread.com website is protected by international copyright and may not be reproduced, or redistributed in any way without expressed written consent.
About: TheSpread.com is the largest sports betting news site in the United States. We provide point spread news, odds, statistics and information to over 175 countries around the world each year. Our coverage includes all North American College and Professional Sports as well as entertainment, political and proposition wagering news.
©1999-2023 TheSpread.com