Andy Pettitte: Are Yankees' Pitching Concerns Gone If He's Vintage Pettitte?

Andy Pettitte is slated to make his first start of the season this Sunday for Mother's Day and for the New York Yankees. It couldn't come at a better time, as their pitching has been lackluster this season.

Injuries have plagued the Yanks pitching staff as a whole, and what was one of the deeper rotations in baseball has now become a shell of its original self when the season began.

So, how much do the Yankees need the old Pettitte?

Let's take a look at the state of the Yanks' current rotation and where Pettitte will fit in moving forward into the season.

CC Sabathia

CC Sabathia hasn't been too impressive so far this season, certainly not ace quality.

But historically, Sabathia is a slow starter, and this kind of beginning to the 2012 season is to be expected.

Still, the Yankees ace is 4-0—but it's his 4.15 ERA that's ugly.

I have no doubt that Sabathia will be just fine, and he is the least of the Bombers' concerns when compared to the rest of the rotation.

Hiroki Kuroda

Hiroki Kuroda's season has been plagued by inconsistency so far in 2012.

One minute, you think you're getting the solid starter who was successful as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers and as recently as four starts ago, threw eight shutout innings against the Los Angeles Angels.

But then the Bombers get the other Kuroda, like they did in his last start, when he lasted only 4.1 innings, allowing three runs on six hits against the lowly Kansas City Royals.

Crowned the No. 2 starter at the beginning of the season by manager Joe Girardi, Kuroda will need to step up his game and be more consistent if he wants to remain the Yanks' No. 2 throughout the season and into the playoffs.

Ivan Nova

While Ivan Nova hasn't been great this season, he's still winning games.

Despite his 5.02 ERA, Nova has four wins—and I firmly believe, much like last season, that he has his best baseball ahead of him in 2012.

Nova has proven to be great at handling pressure on the mound, and all that's left is for him to get more consistency with his command and overall stuff on a start-to-start basis.

If he can pick it up, the Yankees will look to Nova in the playoffs like they did last season, when he impressed New York with a great postseason start against the Detroit Tigers.

Sure, there is some concern about Nova at the moment, especially with regard to inconsistency. But remember: He wasn't the top-flight pitcher that he finished as in 2011 until the second half.

Phil Hughes

Threats to be moved to the bullpen might've finally lit a fire under Phil Hughes' rear end, and after his last start, the 26-year-old might be on the comeback trail to the 18-win form we saw in 2010.

Hughes has been dreadful this year, but thanks to a start against the Royals, he might have bought his way into the rotation for another week or so. Hughes went 6.2 innings and allowed three runs on six hits against K.C.

Again, it's against the Royals, so there is much more to be proven here.

Hughes is a major concern moving forward and could lose his spot in the rotation at any moment, especially with the return of Andy Pettitte this weekend.

That may also hinge upon the performance of the Yanks' next starter.

David Phelps

David Phelps' days starting for the Yankees are most likely numbered, as it's more sane to believe Andy Pettitte would replace the rookie and not Phil Hughes.

Phelps has done a great job out of the bullpen as the Yanks' long man, and the baseball gods know the Bombers needed it with the terrible pitching they've displayed this season.

But Phelps' first and only start against the Royals wasn't exactly something to write home about, making it possible that he will be sent back to the bullpen.

With the absence of Mariano Rivera for the season, Phelps could find himself in a slightly more prominent role as everyone moves up the totem pole in the bullpen.

Where Does Andy Pettitte Fit In?

At this point, looking at the Yankees starting pitchers' numbers, the only spot Andy Pettitte couldn't take is No. 1.

His prestige as a great Yankee pitcher means he'll be wherever he pitches his way into.

Pettitte hasn't been exactly dominant in the minor leagues, but that doesn't mean his performance will translate to the majors. Yes, he's 39 years old and soon to be 40, but look at Jamie Moyer of the Colorado Rockies and tell me old guys can't pitch in the MLB.

The playoffs will be a similar story.

I wouldn't begin to speculate on any move, but I'm guessing Pettitte could surpass Hiroki Kuroda as the Yanks' No. 2 in a playoff series. Granted, Pettitte will have to pitch well, but that's the point: His spot will be as good as his pitching.

Innings will be a big story for Pettitte's return as well.

In 2010, Pettitte wasn't exactly known for making long starts and usually topped out at about 100 pitches and five to six innings on a good day.

However, Andy's lucky this season, as even without closer Mariano Rivera, the Bombers still have a damn good bullpen.

With the state of the Yankees rotation, New York is in desperate need of a consistent option to hand the ball to behind CC Sabathia. The Yanks haven't gotten that yet, and they'll hope it's Pettitte.