YANKEE NOTES

Today, the Bombers’ struggling starting rotation is expected to get a huge boost when Andy Pettitte comes off the disabled list and makes his first start at The Stadium this season. The lefty had been on the 15-day disabled list with a strained oblique muscle, but yesterday he pronounced himself fit for duty in today’s 1:05 p.m. tilt with Minnesota.

“I’m ready to go. It’s exciting. I haven’t gotten to pitch here at all this year, and we’ve been playing for a month. It will be exciting … taking to the mound,” said Pettitte, who inked a three-year, $24-million deal but has pitched only once this year, taking the loss in a 7-5 defeat at Seattle. “The expectations were so high. Obviously it’s been frustrating to not get out there and pitch, but it’s something that happens. I’m just trying to get out there and pitch.”

Pettitte played catch Monday and yesterday, and seemed encouraged by his last bullpen session, although he admits the injury could affect his stamina and ability to go deep into games.

*

Chuck Knoblauch, originally penciled in on the lineup card in the Yank clubhouse, didn’t start and Torre said “he doesn’t plan to play him until Friday. Knoblauch is still recovering from a sprained left hand and wrist, and took batting practice yesterday. Lance Johnson went 0-for-3 in the leadoff spot in the Yanks’ 6-1 loss to the Twins. Wilson Delgado started at second, going 1-for-3 with a walk.

The Yankees activated Scott Brosius from the 15-day DL. He started at third and went 0-for-3 with a walk, scoring the Yanks’ lone run. They sent down SS prospect Alfonso Soriano, who had come up to fill in for Brosius at third.

“Physically, I felt fine out there,” said Brosius, who recorded one putout and two assists. “I didn’t think about it after any of the plays. I felt real good.”

Twins SS Cristian Guzman extended his hitting streak to a dozen games with his third-inning homer.

Pettitte will start against Minnesota’s Joe Mays (0-2, 9.30 ERA).