Veteran New York Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte will decide on whether to return to baseball for 2013 by the end of next week, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports:

friend of andy pettitte says he expects pettitte to decide on '13 by the end of next week. #yankees

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) November 22, 2012

Speculation on Pettitte's fate has been a hot issue over the last few weeks, but all rumors seem to lean towards his return to the Bronx next year. The left-hander was expecting to throw close to two hundred innings in 2012 but only made it to seventy-five because of a freak leg injury in June, which could play a factor in his decision.

Though his stint with the Yankees was shorter than expected, the 40-year-old Pettitte still proved he has a lot left in the tank, posting a 2.87 ERA and 8.2 K/9 rate in twelve regular season starts.