NOVA STUCK

Sabathia, Pettitte eager to pitch in

CHICAGO — With the Rays pulling within four games and September looming, the Yankees received encouraging news yesterday about two arms they not only need back from the disabled list but pitching well.

CC Sabathia threw a 38-pitch bullpen session before last night’s game against the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field and again announced he will start Friday, the first day he is eligible to come off the DL, against the Indians in Cleveland.

Andy Pettitte is itching to throw off a bullpen mound and yesterday he was as encouraged as he has ever been since fracturing his left ankle in June.

“I am for sure,’’ Pettitte said when asked if he was as encouraged as he sounded after putting more pressure on the ankle while throwing on flat ground Monday. “I have been feeling really good for the past five or six days.’’

Sabathia, who has yet to receive the word from Joe Girardi about Friday, was pleased with yesterday’s workout.

“I t hrew everything today and I felt good,’’ Sabathia said. “I see no reason I would be limited. As long as I am out there Fri- day, I don’t care.’’

Girardi is making sure the ace doesn’t feel any type of stiffness or soreness after the bullpen session.

“We have to see in the next two days,’’ Girardi said. “If he comes out [well,] he will likely be the starter Friday.’’

Sabathia ( 12-3) hasn’t pitched since Aug. 8 due to inflammation in his left elbow.

After pushing himself too hard and suffering a setback a month ago in Seattle that likely cost him a week to 10 days, Pettitte is being cautious, but also understands he has to build arm strength in order to be ready to help the Yankees no matter when he makes it back. Clouding that date is it’s very likely there will be no more minor league games for Pettitte to pitch in and he would have to get ready in simulated games with the Yankees or in Tampa.

“I felt good [Monday] and I felt good [yesterday],’’ said Pettitte, who is 3-3 in nine starts. “These are the positive steps I have to take for the doc to tell me I can get on a mound.’’

Pettitte, who hasn’t pitched since June 28, expects another X-ray to be taken when the Yankees return home next week.