Pettitte's injury setbacks a concern for Girardi

Joe Girardi doesn't have a timetable for Andy Pettitte's return, but the lefthander's recent series of setbacks has the manager thinking.

"If you get into the third week of September and we haven't gotten him back, I think you'd be somewhat concerned," Girardi said before last night's game.

No one is thinking yet that it will be that long for Pettitte, who has been on the disabled list since July 19 because of a strained left groin. But considering how well he felt two weeks ago and the setbacks he's suffered since, now the first week of September looks like a best-case scenario.

Pettitte's most recent hindrance came Tuesday when he felt something in his groin when he tried to push off in a bullpen session. An MRI that night showed "a small persistent strain."

"It's a good thing we got an MRI,'' Pettitte said Wednesday, "because [the doctor] told me I would have hurt myself if I tried to push through it."

He said he won't throw off a mound for the next week, with the most he'll be allowed to do is play catch and to ride an exercise bike. He said it would be "an understatement" to say he's frustrated, even more so because he thinks he might have tried to do too much too soon.

"I combined my bullpen work with my running, and then getting back into my weight lifting, maybe I pushed it too hard and got the thing aggravated a bit," he said. "I have to back off it a little bit and just focus on my mound work and that's it."

Girardi said when Pettitte is able to throw without pain and can get through a simulated game, he'll probably need to make two rehab appearances to build back arm strength.

"Groins are very tricky for pitchers," Girardi said.

Berkman slow to recover

Lance Berkman (ankle) said he should be ready to play by the weekend, though he's perplexed his recovery from a sprained right ankle has taken so long.

"This time a little more swollen than it normally is," said Berkman, who hit in the cage Tuesday.

Berkman said he was available to pinch hit last night, though running might be an issue. "I'd hobble around,'' he said, "like Kirk Gibson."

No rush for Aceves

Although Alfredo Aceves was all right after his third rehab appearance Wednesday, Girardi said the reliever, out since May 12, could make another one before being activated.