Andy Pettitte hopes to decide about 2013 'within a month or so'

DETROIT -- Andy Pettitte doesn't want the mystery of whether he pitches in 2013 to be something that lasts deep into the offseason.

"Hopefully I can come to a conclusion here, one way or the other, within a month or so," the 40-year-old lefthander said in the quiet of the clubhouse yesterday.

But Pettitte, who went 5-4 with a 2.87 ERA in 12 starts, said he'll first head home to Texas and discuss it with his family.

"I came back because I felt like I had some competition left in me and wanted to help this organization win another championship," said Pettitte, who missed nearly three months with a fractured left ankle. "I don't think anything is going to dictate my decision other than getting home and really knowing in my heart what the right thing to do is for me and my family."

It was a sudden end for all of the Yankees, Pettitte included. The veteran had been preparing to start a fifth game had the Yankees prevailed Thursday.

"This is the day you don't look forward, that's for sure," Pettitte said. "It's such a long year, and just to be able to get this far and not play a little bit better than we did is obviously frustrating. Any time you lose, it's tough. I never would have dreamed that we wouldn't have been able to win at least a few games in this series. But you have to give them a lot of credit."