NEW YORK (AP) - Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte filed for free agency Sunday after repeatedly saying he hopes to return to the club next year.
Pettitte went 14-14 last season with a 4.54 ERA - his highest ERA since 1999. General manager Brian Cashman said last week he wants Pettitte to return next season but the 36-year-old veteran said Friday night he hadn't heard from the team.Pettitte likely would have to agree to a cut from his $16 million salary last season, when he was 2-7 with a 6.23 ERA in his final 11 starts, and missed his last turn because of a sore pitching shoulder. End-of-season tests failed to reveal significant issues.
Pettitte is the 169th free agent, and seven more are potentially eligible to file before Thursday's deadline.
