Yankees' rotation competition ongoing

New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi said his rotation might not be finalized until the end of spring training.

Ivan Nova, Phil Hughes, Michael Pineda and Freddy Garcia are competing for three spots behind opening day starter CC Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda.

Girardi said before Saturday's game against Detroit that he is going back and forth regarding the decision.

''When you're talking about the six guys, they're all so close,'' Girardi said. ''Is it going to be a tough decision? I've kind of resigned myself to that fact at this point because the guys are throwing the ball well.''

Andy Pettitte, who ended his brief retirement by recently signing a minor league contract, could be ready to pitch in the majors by May 1.

''That's down the road,'' Girardi said. ''Sometimes things have a way of working themselves out by then.''

Pettitte had a batting practice session on Friday, and will throw off a bullpen mound Sunday. It is possible the left-hander will pitch in a spring training game before the team breaks camp on April 4.

Also, David Robertson, sidelined by a bruised right foot, is scheduled to pitch Sunday. The eighth-inning set-up man threw in a simulated game on Friday.

NOTES: RF Nick Swisher, out because of a right groin injury, is taking batting practice. ... The Yankees optioned RHP Dellin Betances to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and sent LHPs Mike O'Connor and Juan Cedeno to the minor league camp.