Hours before the first pitch of today’s game with the Blue Jays, the action on the Yankee Stadium diamond was equally important.

Andy Pettitte threw a simulated game, with Alex Rodriguez as one of the hitters. Both of the injured Yankees stars reported no problems, a positive sign the Yankees need as the playoffs draw closer.

Pettitte, out since July 19 with a strained left groin, threw three innings against Rodriguez, Greg Golson and Ramiro Pena. He threw 50 pitches and dialed up the intensity as the morning went on.

“I felt good,” Pettitte said. “I felt better each inning I went out there. I felt like the last inning I turned it up pretty good and wasn’t worrying about anything at all. The first two I was a little tentative. It was early. It took me a little while to get it going but it was good. I didn’t have any problems at all. It was a good step in the right direction, that’s for sure.”

Rodriguez, who has missed 16 games with a strained left calf, took batting practice, grounders in the field and faced Pettitte. He hit two balls hard off Pettitte into the outfield, and ran the bases as he would if it was a real game, although Rodriguez did say he held back a little.

Rodriguez is eligible to come off the disabled list tomorrow, but did not want to give a percentage of how likely it is for him to face the Blue Jays tomorrow.

“I don’t want to put a number on it, but I did feel good,” Rodriguez said. “It was an encouraging day. There were no setbacks.”

The next step for Pettitte could be another simulated game or a minor league rehab start. Pettitte said they are targeting Wednesday for his next work, but they are trying to figure out the minor league playoff schedules today before making a decision.

NOTE: Nick Swisher was originally in today’s lineup but has  been scratched with soreness in his left knee.

Lineups

Yankees

Gardner LF

Jeter SS

Teixeira 1B

Cano 2B

Thames RF

Berkman DH

Granderson CF

Nunez 3B

Cervelli C

Vazquez P

Blue Jays

Wise RF

Hill 2B

Bautista 3B

Wells CF

Overbay 1B

Buck C

Lind DH

McDonald SS

Snider LF

Rzepczynski P