Pettitte set to return to Yankees rotation

New York Andy Pettitte made it through his latest rehabilitation start with no difficulty and is set to rejoin the New York Yankees.

“I think I’m ready,” Pettitte said Saturday, one day after his outing for Double-A Norwich. “My command has been good and I was able to get my pitch count up. Is my arm in midseason form yet? Obviously not. But I think it’s time to get going.”

Pettitte has missed the past seven weeks with tendinitis in his left elbow. He made his fourth rehab start Friday, allowing one run and two hits in 61/3 innings. He threw 82 pitches.

Ramirez will return to Red Sox on Monday

Boston Boston Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez is scheduled to return to the team on Monday and expects to be activated from the disabled list sooner than originally expected.

Ramirez has been rehabilitating in Florida since breaking his finger on May 11 when he slid headfirst into home plate and hit his hand on Seattle catcher Dan Wilson’s shinguard. He was supposed to return to Boston on Friday, but missed his flight.

Manager Grady Little said the team has received positive reports from the doctors in Florida who have been monitoring Ramirez’s recovery.

Griffey remains out with bad hamstring

Anaheim, Calif. Ken Griffey Jr. was not in Cincinnati’s starting lineup Saturday, one day after pulling his right hamstring while running out a ground ball.

Manager Bob Boone said during batting practice that Griffey would only get into the game against Anaheim “in a real dire emergency.”

Griffey was hurt in the fourth inning of the Reds’ 4-3 loss to the Angels. He was injured just two weeks after he came off the disabled list following a 41-game absence due to a torn tendon in his right knee.

“I’m treating him as conservatively as you possibly can,” Boone said.