Pettitte throws simulated game

Mar 7, 2010 - 7:45 PM TAMPA, Fla.(AP) -- Andy Pettitte has new spring routine, and he likes it.

The Yankees left-hander struck out three, walked one and allowed one hit during a two-inning simulated game Sunday.

"I felt good," Pettitte said. "Last year I did this, and to me it's good to break it in. I can make this pretty real even though it's a simulated game. It's good for me, I think, for my first start."

Pettitte threw 18 pitches to Randy Winn and Colin Curtis in both innings in preparation for his first spring training start Friday against Washington.

It was the first game-type action for Pettitte since pitching in the World Series-clinching Game 6 in November. The simulated game took place on a back field at the Yankees' spring training complex in front of around a dozen fans.

"I couldn't get the big league field," Pettitte joked. "I've got a lawn mower out here (on the field)."

Pettitte used all his pitches, throwing 21 strikes.

Also, Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli is scheduled to see a neurologist on Monday. He left Saturday's game with a concussion after being hit in the helmet by a pitched ball.

Cervelli also had a concussion in November after being struck by a back swing during a winter league game.

"It's a bigger concern," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said about Cervelli having two recent concussions. "Hopefully he's back in a few days, but we'll be cautious. You just take your time."

Girardi added that concussions are taken more seriously now than in the past.

"You think about the players in football that had to retire," Girardi said. "I think it's good that we pay more attention than we used to. We used to say, 'I got hit in the head.' Now we understand that there's serious ramifications. You have to be careful."

NOTES: Closer Mariano Rivera, LHP Damaso Marte and RHP Chan Ho Park all remain scheduled to throw batting practice for the first time Monday. ... DH Nick Johnson (lower back stiffness) took BP and is expected back in the lineup Monday. ... RHP Joba Chamberlain threw off a bullpen mound and said he is completely over a flu bug that shut him down for a couple days last week. ... Bench coach Tony Pena has the flu and was not at the ballpark.