BOSTON – Andy Pettitte thinks he’s ready to help the struggling New York Yankees right now.

Sidelined since his left ankle was broken by a line drive June 27 against Cleveland, the 40-year-old left-hander threw another simulated game Wednesday at Fenway Park and said he can rejoin the rotation immediately.

Pettitte said he felt great and could give the team “60, 65 pitches.”

Yankees teammate Ivan Nova is all set to return. Nova, out since Aug. 21 with inflammation in his right rotator cuff, will start Saturday at home against Tampa Bay, bumping Freddy Garcia to the bullpen.

“I did everything I needed to do. I felt good. It’s another step,” Pettitte said. “They felt like my stuff was great. I just don’t know what the next step is — hopefully I’ll get back in the rotation. That’s what I want to do.”

RANGERS: Third baseman Adrian Beltre left Wednesday night’s game against the Cleveland Indians with a strained left shoulder.

Beltre landed hard on his left side when he made a diving stop of Russ Canzler’s grounder in the second inning. The Rangers announced that Beltre will have a precautionary MRI.

WHITE SOX: Adam Dunn didn’t play against the Detroit Tigers, the sixth straight game he missed because of a strained right oblique.

Dunn tried swinging a bat and realized he was not ready to return, saying he would try again for Thursday’s finale of the key AL Central series.

ORIOLES: Right-hander Jason Hammel will have an MRI on Thursday to determine the extent of damage in his sore right knee.

Hammel left Tuesday night’s game against Tampa Bay in the fourth inning. He was making his second start since undergoing surgery on the same knee in July.

2013: One of baseball’s traditional home openers will have an innovative twist next season.

The Cincinnati Reds will host the Los Angeles Angels on April 1, becoming the first teams to start their seasons with an interleague matchup.

The Reds, the first professional team, celebrate opening day with a parade and have opened all but four seasons at home: 1885, 1888, 1966 and 1990, according to STATS LLC.

Major League Baseball’s 2013 preliminary schedule includes several format changes caused by the shift of the Houston Astros to the American League. A National League franchise for its first 51 seasons, the Astros start AL play on April 2 when they host cross-state rival Texas.