Brian Cashman says Andy Pettitte probably will return in mid-September

TORONTO -- Andy Pettitte remains off his feet, and there still isn't a set timetable for when the lefthander can resume baseball activities.

The original hope was that Pettitte, who suffered a fractured left fibula June 27, would return to the Yankees by Sept. 1. General manager Brian Cashman said by phone Friday, "I'd probably say mid-September now."

He added: "It depends who you talk to. But he'll be ready when he's ready and we'll take him when he is."

Pettitte had been progressing toward a Sept. 1 return, throwing several flat-ground sessions during the Yankees' trip to Oakland and Seattle, before an X-ray taken July 26 suggested the healing of the bone had slowed.

The Yankees didn't call it a setback at the time, and a follow-up round of X-rays Sunday looked more promising. Cashman said he isn't concerned that Pettitte's recovery suddenly could slow to the point of the pitcher not making it back at all. "I haven't heard anything like that," he said.

Pettitte -- still "resting," Cashman said -- will have another X-ray next week.

Good debut for FelicianoLefthanded reliever Pedro Feliciano's first rehab outing Friday morning went well. He pitched a scoreless inning for the GCL Yankees, allowing one hit and striking out three.

"If he does everything necessary during August, hopefully he'll be an option for us in September," Cashman said.

Feliciano, signed to a two-year, $8-million deal before the 2011 season, has not pitched in a regular-season game with the Yankees. He had rotator-cuff surgery last September.

Ichiro in centerFor the first time since 2008, Ichiro Suzuki, predominantly a rightfielder in his career, played centerfield. He started there Friday for Curtis Granderson, who was given the day off. "It all depends on what the team needs," Ichiro said before smiling. "If they said, 'Will you play catcher?' I'd have to say no."

Ichiro drove in five runs in the Yankees' 10-4 victory.

Extra basesAlex Rodriguez (left metacarpal fracture) continues to progress in his rehab, taking 25 to 30 swings during a tee-and-toss session Friday . . . Ivan Nova, who has allowed 16 runs and 21 hits in 101/3 innings in his last two starts and starts Saturday afternoon, said he's worked the last four days on getting his slider back. "It's my strikeout pitch," he said.