Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he would love for Andy Pettitte to pitch six innings on Sunday as the veteran southpaw makes his return to the majors.

"That would be a huge plus for us and a huge plus for him," Girardi said.

Girardi said Saturday that he expects Pettitte to be able to throw approximately 100 pitches, and he added Sunday that he believes Pettitte will be in the 87-89 miles per hour range.

"I think that would be pretty normal for him," Girardi said.

The manager, who has said he expects Pettitte to pitch like he did in 2010, hopes the lefty doesn't try to do to much on Sunday. Pitches up in the zone and a lack of command could be signs of Pettitte trying too hard. Girardi would rather see Pettitte settle into a groove.

Girardi believes that Pettitte will be able to cherish making his first start back in front of the home fans at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees face the Mariners and are going for the sweep.

"To make it at home I'm sure is something he'll never forget because there's going to be a real warmth in the stands about him coming back," Girardi said. "People are excited about him coming back."

The Yankees' rotation has pitched well lately and Girardi said that takes some pressure off Pettitte about having to come back and be that stabilizing force for the group. The manager said people were expecting Pettitte to be the guy who would restore order to the group, but the recent success has calmed down that notion.

Girardi expects Pettitte to help the team on the field and in the clubhouse.

"He's a leader. He leads by example," Girardi said. "He can talk to the younger pitchers about the things he went through. You look at our rotation, you got (Ivan) Nova and (Phil) Hughes, a couple young pitchers, and there's expectations and he's been through them."