Andy Pettitte throws from flat ground

Andy Pettitte took another step Tuesday toward making his return, throwing about 60 pitches from flat ground during three sessions.

Pettitte, who’s working his way back from a broken fibula suffered June 27, also threw about 10 pitches from his normal windup in the final session at the Stadium, and manager Joe Girardi said “he actually looked really good.”

The next step for Pettitte is to throw off a mound either Friday or Saturday, something he essentially wanted to do Tuesday. Pettitte said the doctor told him the X-rays taken Monday night looked pretty good, but he was disappointed that he wasn’t cleared to throw off a mound.

With 33 games left in the regular season, time is of the essence for Pettitte to round himself back into form if he is to pitch in the postseason. But Pettitte doesn’t think a rehab game is necessary and thinks that facing some hitters in game-type situations would be sufficient enough.

Said Pettitte: “I feel like I’m already mechanically sound.”