Robertson progresses, hopes to return this week

BALTIMORE -- David Robertson threw 11 pitches in the bullpen on Tuesday and reported no issues with his pitching shoulder, giving the Yankees reliever optimism that he will soon be able to return to duty.

Robertson has not pitched since Sept. 5, and said that though he feels he could probably pitch on Tuesday, the right-hander expects the Yankees to rest him until Wednesday against the Orioles, at the earliest.

"I understand why they want to give me the extra day. They don't want to rush me back out there," Robertson said. "Today was a good step forward. I threw a bullpen, cut the ball loose and didn't have any problems."

Robertson is 4-1 with a 1.85 ERA in 61 appearances this season.

"I just needed a few days," he said. "I needed to get some strength back in my shoulder before I went out and pitched. I didn't want to go out there, stink in a game and get injured, something like that."