Yankees' Ichiro Suzuki OK after traffic accident - Hawaii News

TAMPA, Fla. >> Yankees outfielder Ichiro Suzuki said he had no soreness today, one day after being involved in a traffic accident.

Suzuki was on his way home after Saturday's spring training game against Detroit when the accident occurred a few miles from Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.

"Not at all," Suzuki said through a translator when asked whether he felt any discomfort. "My body just didn't react, I guess."

Suzuki said his SUV was totaled in the accident. He had a green light when he was hit by another vehicle in an intersection. The driver of the second vehicle was cited by police.

"The car was turning left and turned into me," Suzuki said. "I slammed on the brakes, but couldn't do anything about it."

Suzuki said his vehicle was struck almost directly in front toward the driver's side.

New York manager Joe Girardi expects Suzuki to play in Tuesday night's exhibition against Atlanta. The Yankees are off on Monday.

No one was injured in the accident.

"I'm very thankful that everybody was OK," Suzuki said. "I feel grateful that there were no big injuries."

Suzuki worked out with teammates who didn't make the trip to Fort Myers for Sunday's exhibition game with Boston and hit in an indoor cage

Left-hander Andy Pettitte threw 34 pitches, including 20 in the first, over two innings during his first simulated game.

"Everything feels really good," Pettitte said. "All my pitches are right where I want them.

Pettitte expects to throw in another simulated game before making his first exhibition appearance.

Closer Mariano Rivera, coming back from knee surgery, made 21 pitches in one inning during his second simulated game. He said his preference would be to next pitch in an exhibition.

"I think we're ready to do that," Rivera said.

Phil Hughes made 37 throws, including 25 from 60 feet, during his initial throwing session since being sidelined two week ago by a bulging disk in his upper back. There is a possibility the right-hander will not be ready for opening day.

"Obviously, I can't have any setbacks," Hughes said. "I just have to take it a day at a time. I know I have to get four or five starts. It's not the worse thing in the world to miss a little time now than have this be an issue going forward."

NOTES: SS Derek Jeter (ankle surgery) said he still has to run the bases full speed before making his exhibition debut. GM Brian Cashman has said Jeter should play in his first game around March 10. ... LHP Boone Logan (tender elbow) hopes to resume throwing Tuesday or Wednesday. ... Minor league OF Slade Heathcott (sprained right thumb) expects to swing a bat Tuesday.