Pettitte set to start at Trenton on Wednesday

BOSTON -- Next stop for Andy Pettitte: Trenton.

Pettitte came through his 66-pitch extended spring training start Friday just fine, and Joe Girardi yesterday said he will be coming north.

Pettitte is scheduled to start Wednesday night for Double-A Trenton and is expected to throw 80 to 85 pitches. "We're encouraged,'' Girardi said of his progress.

Girardi said his thought is "it's realistic'' the pitcher will need three more minor- league starts. "Then you make a real evaluation of where he's at,'' he added.

Girardi said the prospect of Pettitte in the rotation is starting to hit home, and not a moment too soon, given the difficulties some of the starters have experienced and Michael Pineda's setback.

"I think you have to get to 85 to 90 pitches and see how he feels and how he bounces back to make a prediction of how he's going to be,'' he said. "It's getting close to a reality now. You're up around 68 pitches, you're getting closer.''