Yanks' Andy Pettitte says ankle is 50 percent healed

Yankees starter Andy Pettitte hopes he can return to the rotation by September after fracturing his ankle last month. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The New York Yankees currently have the best record in baseball, so they are not going to rush getting injured left-hander Andy Pettitte back in the rotation.

Pettitte took a line drive off his left leg on June 27 and was told that his broken ankle should take six weeks to heal. He is optimistic that he can return by September 1.

"It looks good," Pettitte told ESPNNewYork.com. "It's healing up good. Doc said the break was about 50 percent closed up, so that's good. It was really good."

Pettitte says he has been working out in a pool and riding a stationary bike to get the strength back in his leg.

"I think we're gonna take another X-ray I believe (the doctor) said when we come back from the next road trip and see where we're at," Pettitte said. "I'm hoping by the next X-ray, I'll be completely healed. And maybe I'll be able to get going four or five days earlier."

Pettitte is 3-3 with a 3.22 ERA in nine starts for the Yankees.