After fracturing his fibula, Andy Pettitte said something that we might look back at in October and call prophetic.

“I think things happen for a reason,” said Pettitte. “I’m going to try and stay positive with it. Maybe it will help me down the stretch and I’ll feel better down the stretch.”

That could be the bright side of Pettitte's injury. Pettitte is really here for October so if his ankle heals properly, he might be better served by not going through the grind of the next two months. He can come back in late August or early September and prepare for the playoffs.

In 2010, Pettitte missed two months in the second half, pitching a total of 15-2/3 innings before having a very solid playoff showing with two seven-inning postseason starts. So, maybe at 40, this may end up being a good thing for Pettitte and the Yankees. Because Pettitte was brought back for the cold of October, not the heat of July.

UP NOW: Ian O'Connor's column on Pettitte. My analysis of the Yankees' plan and replacements going forward. Our news stories on Pettitte and Sabathia.

ON DECK: Wally Matthews and I will be out here for the first of four between the Yankees and Robin Ventura's first-place White Sox.

IN THE HOLE: The pitching matchups: Thursday, Ivan Nova (9-2, 4.25) vs. Dylan Axelrod (0-1, 5.54); Friday, Adam Warren (MLB debut) vs. Jose Quintana (2-1, 1.25); Saturday, Hiroki Kuroda (7-7, 3.40) vs. Jake Peavy (6-4, 2.84); Sunday, Phil Hughes (8-6, 4.48) vs. Gavin Floyd (5-7, 5.20 entering Wednesday start).

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Will this be a blessing in disguise for Pettitte?