With the Yankees rotation in taters and on the brink of losing Andy Pettitte the Yankees are desperate for pitching, but are they desperate enough to consider Carl Pavano as an option? They’re going to have to.

The 32-year-old injury prone pitcher is working his way back from his latest elbow surgery and is expected on a major league mound soon.

Last night he worked three and two-thirds innings for the Trenton Thunder and he put together a pretty impressive performance.

In just his third rehab start Pavano threw 63 pitches, 38 for strikes, and showed signs that he could still be effective this season. During the brief performance he gave up only one hit while striking out four. He wasn’t without rust though as he walked a pair and uncorked a couple wild pitches.

“I’m pleasantly surprised how I feel after the surgery and pleasantly surprised that I’m able to step in and pick up where I’ve left off previous times before injuries,” Pavano said. “I think my location was better than it’s been. Velocity-wise, I’m not really interested in that, I’m just worried about location.”

The 63 pitches is the highest he has stretched his pitch count since appearing in a game against the Minnesota Twins early last season. By the end of the performance he appeared to be very tired, but he said after the game that his arm feels good.

“I did hit a wall in that inning. It’s the first time I’ve thrown 60 pitches and as expected, I was a little tired in that last inning,” said Pavano “It’s just building up the stamina and getting my legs underneath me. I feel like every time I’ve gone out and deeper into the game I’ve gotten a better feel.”

Many thought they had seen the last of the Ferrari crashing pitcher, but he has been aggressive in his return to the big leagues. Probably because if he doesn’t show major league teams that he can still pitch this year he may not get any offers to pitch next year.

“Yeah, I’m pushing it,” he said. “Anything’s risky. That surgery’s a big surgery, it’s a successful surgery. Every day that I feel good is a good day for me. I’m definitely being aggressive, I’m not holding back. I’m throwing all my pitches and I feel pretty good about it.”

With Ian Kennedy expected to start tonight for the Yanks, their pitching staff barely resembles the one Joe Girardi envisioned having down the stretch. Kennedy is joined by Mike Mussina, Sidney Ponson, Dan Giese, and maybe, if they’re lucky, Pettitte as well.

Yankee fans must be sure to not get their hopes up for a Pavano sighting in the Bronx. Two years ago they were in a similar situation late in the season when an undisclosed broken rib ended his season.

If everything does go well you can expect at least three or four more rehab starts, probably one or two more in Trenton, then another two to three in Scranton, before he makes a trip to the Bronx. Which could mean he has a chance to be on a major league mound by August 27. Just try not to hold your breath.

In three rehab appearances combined, Pavano has thrown eight and two-thirds innings and has given up one run on seven hits, three walks, 10 strike outs, and opponents have hit .219 off of him. Last season he pitched in two games for the Yankees and was 1-0 with a 4.76 ERA and four strike outs and two walks over 11.1 innings.