Andy Pettitte, who at 40 has been as dependable as any Yankees starter this season, fractured his left ankle in a game against the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday and will be out for at least six weeks, the Yankees said.
He will be on crutches with a boot, and the team said that no surgery will be required.
Leading off the fifth inning, the Indians’ Casey Kotchman hit a sharp ground ball back at Pettitte, who had no time to get out of the way. The ball struck what appeared to be Pettitte’s left foot around the ankle.
Against the Mets on June 10, Pettitte sustained a bruise on his pitching hand when he tried to field a comebacker. Manager Joe Girardi left him in the game, and Pettitte did not miss a start.
Pettitte threw a few warm-up pitches Wednesday, persuaded Girardi to let him stay in, and threw one pitch to the next batter before he was pulled. Pettitte, who had struck out seven batters in four innings, walked off under his own power.
Pettitte’s injury came on the same day that C.C. Sabathia was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained groin muscle.