Major League Baseball

Yanks' Pettitte back from DL, Overbay in RF

Published Jun. 4, 2013 12:13 a.m. ET

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Andy Pettitte was activated from the 15-day disabled list Monday night by the New York Yankees, and was set to try for his 250th career win with a new right fielder.

Lyle Overbay was in the lineup, making his first big league start in the outfield against the Cleveland Indians after making 1,272 appearances in the field, all at first base.

''We've been forced to being a little creative here because of some of the injuries,'' said manager Joe Girardi, who has also used outfielder Vernon Wells at third and second base this season.

New York still is without third baseman Alex Rodriguez (hip surgery), shortstop Derek Jeter (broken ankle) and left fielder Curtis Granderson (broken knuckle) and catcher Francisco Cervelli (broken hand). Girardi said things would be different if Granderson wasn't on the DL for his second time this season.

The Yankees optioned outfielder Brennan Boesch to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make room for Pettitte. The decision to send Boesch down was made in part because he still had minor league options. Overbay would have to be designated for assignment, and it's possible the Yankees would lose the 36-year-old having a resurgent season.

Pettitte has been out since May 17 with a strained muscle in the back of his left shoulder. He is 4-3 with 3.83 ERA in eight starts. On Monday night he will be making his 500th career start.

Overbay is batting .247 with eight homers and 29 RBIs, second to Robinson Cano on the team, in 51 games. And he's been particularly successful in the clutch, hitting three go-ahead homers, all in the seventh inning or later.

But the big reason for keeping Overbay on the roster is so he can give Mark Teixeira days off after the five-time Gold Glover missed the first two months the season because of a wrist injury before returning Friday.

Girardi says Boesch will get some time at first base in Scranton.

Overbay last played in the outfield in a game in 2001 for Double-A El Paso. He concentrated on the outfield when he was with Boston during spring training.

''It's got to do with numbers. He's got to protect this team, make sure he's protecting all the spots,'' Overbay said of Girardi. ''Me being a first baseman-slash-outfielder now, it's one of those things.''

Overbay, a left-handed player, will be using lefty reliever Boone Logan's outfield glove. Overbay's glove is being sent to New York.

NOTES: Catcher Chris Stewart, who was taken to New York-Presbyterian Hospital on Sunday after experiencing symptoms similar to the ones that forced him out of a game due to dehydration Saturday, had further tests Wednesday. Girardi said all the results were good but Stewart was not in the lineup Monday night. Stewart gets foggy, or lightheaded, Girardi said. ... Rodriguez did agility drills before running hard 10 times at around 120 feet in the outfield at the Yankees' minor league complex in Tampa, Fla. After taking 29 grounders hit at him at third, A-Rod took 66 swings, including several long opposite-field homers, during batting practice. Rodriguez could rejoin the Yankees after the All-Star break.

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