NEW YORK, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Veteran New York Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte has agreed to salary arbitration for the 2008 baseball season.
Pettitte, 35, last week decided against retirement to pitch another season.
In 2007, he hurled 215 1/3 innings and went 15-9, including an 11-3 mark after the All-Star break, with a 4.05 ERA to help the Yankees qualify for an American League wild-card berth.
Before going the arbitration route, he had held a $16 million player option for 2008, but MLB.com reported this weekend he declined it because he needed more time to contemplate his future.
"I said he could take all the time he wants," Yankees Senior Vice President Hank Steinbrenner told The New York Times recently. "He can tell me in February and I'd be fine with that. With the way he keeps himself in shape, that wouldn't be a problem."
Pettitte joined San Diego catcher Michael Barrett and Houston Astros infielder Mark Loretta in going the arbitration route.
