If it weren’t for bad luck, the Yankees wouldn’t have any luck at all.
Hours after the Yankees placed CC Sabathia on the disabled list, Andy Pettitte was forced from his start in the fifth inning Wednesday with a fractured left ankle.
Pettitte, who was struck on the ankle by Casey Kotchman’s line drive, was diagnosed with the fracture, which is expected to keep him out of action for at least six weeks. The Yankees said no surgery will be required, but Pettitte will be placed in a walking boot and use crutches.
After being hit by the line drive to lead of the fifth, Pettitte threw a few warmup pitches and convinced Joe Girardi to leave him in the game. After his first pitch to Lou Marson, the lefthander came off the mound with a noticeable limp, prompting Girardi to remove him from the game immediately.
Cody Eppley and Clay Rapada pitched the rest of the inning, giving up two runs to erase the Yankees’ 2-1 lead.
Pettitte was charged with two runs on three hits and one walk, striking out seven in the no-decision.
Earlier in the day, the Yankees had placed Sabathia on the 15-day DL with a strained adductor muscle near his left groin, an injury that is expected to keep Sabathia out until after the All-Star break.
Joe Girardi had planned to start Freddy Garcia Friday in Sabathia’s place, but Garcia was needed for 2 1/3 innings of work Wednesday. Adam Warren is the likely candidate to start Friday.
WRITTEN BYÂ MARK FEINSANDÂ / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Â & FULL STORY HERE
