Starter Pettitte back for more with Yankees: agent

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Veteran left-hander Andy Pettitte has decided to return for another season with the New York Yankees according to his agent, the Houston Chronicle reported on Monday.

Pettitte, 35, had a $16 million option to return to the Yankees but delayed a decision as he pondered retirement at his Houston home.

The Yankees had made it clear they wanted Pettitte back after his 15-9 season in 2006.

"Many team mates have called urging Andy to return as well as manager Joe Girardi," agent Randy Hendricks told the newspaper on its Web site (www.chron.com).

"It's well known that the Yankees have publicly stated that they were ready for Andy when Andy was ready."

Pettitte, who began his career with the Yankees before joining the Houston Astros as a free agent for three seasons from 2004, has a 201-113 record over his 13-year career and is 18-7 with a 3.96 earned run average in postseason.

(Writing by Larry Fine; editing by Miles Evans)