Andy Pettitte jogged off the mound in the fifth inning looking like there was nothing bothering the veteran lefty.

However, there were two outs in the inning and it was after Joe Girardi visited the mound with trainer Mark Littlefield and pitching coach Larry Rothschild.

On the final pitch of a strikeout by Seattle’s Kyle Seager, Pettitte grimaced. That brought the trio out from the dugout. After a brief discussion in which it appeared Pettitte lobbied to remain in the game, the 40-year-old Pettitte jogged off and ex-Mariner Shawn Kelley replaced Pettitte with the Yankees trailing, 2-1.

Pettitte went nine days between starts in April due to back spasms.

In 4 2/3rd innings Pettitte gave up two runs, four hits, three walks and fanned five.