Garcia returns to rotation as Andy goes on 60-day DL

Don’t expect to see Andy Pettitte back until sometime around Labor Day. The Yankees placed Pettitte on the 60-day disabled list Thursday to create roster space for the contract purchase of pitcher Adam Warren, the righthander from Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre who will start Friday night against the White Sox. The Yankees also recalled pitcher Ryota Igarashi from Triple A.

Pettitte sustained a fractured left fibula in Wednesday’s 5-4 Yankees victory over the Indians that will keep him sidelined for at least six weeks. Considering his age, 40, a prognosis of a two-month recovery seems logical. The Yankees are also without CC Sabathia, who is on the 15-day DL due to a strained left groin.

As for a spot in the rotation, manager Joe Girardi and general manager Brian Cashman strongly suggested that they consider Freddy Garcia their best option. Garcia got off to a horrible start in the rotation at the beginning of the year but pitched himself back into the Yankees’ good graces with quality work out of the bullpen (2-0, 1.56 ERA in 17 1/3 innings). Garcia will start Monday night at St. Petersburg, Fla., and essentially take Pettitte’s turn in the rotation.

“Freddy has done it for us before,” Girardi said. “Freddy is an experienced guy and is not going to get caught up in the moment. He did a great job for us last year. It looks like his stuff is back.”