KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- In front of less than 10 fans and a handful of scouts and club executives, Andy Pettitte threw two innings during a "B" game Friday morning against the Cleveland Indians.

Pettitte did not allow a run, giving up four hits and striking out two. He threw 34 pitches, 25 of which were strikes.

Although the game began at 10 a.m. ET and the eerily quiet stadium felt more like a library than a ballpark, Pettitte was happy to face an opposing team in a real game, something he had yet to do this spring for a variety of reasons.

"It was just extremely exciting to be able to face another team," Pettitte said. "Without the crowd there, it might have been good for me, to ease back into it that way. I've been throwing simulated games and this time, there was a little more adrenaline flowing with the other team out there. It was good to get work in with guys on base. I'm happy with where we're at."

Pettitte knew he was going to be taking things slowly this spring, but he never thought it would be March 18 before he'd face opposing batters. After throwing simulated games on March 4 and 8, he threw a long bullpen session on March 10 and planned to make a two-inning start against the Indians two days later. But a sprained ankle, suffered when he tripped down a flight of stairs, scratched that plan.

Pettitte was on track to start at Vero Beach on Thursday, but that contest was rained out.

So maybe Friday's game wasn't a huge deal, but it was in some ways a big step for Pettitte, who is aiming to make his first start of the regular season on time, on April 6.

"Mechanically, I felt pretty sound," Pettitte said. "I felt I spun some good curveballs and threw a couple of good cutters to strike a couple of guys out. I also threw a couple good pitches that they got base hits on. I threw changeups that I felt comfortable with. If I'm able to throw my stuff, that's all I really care about."

But that's not to say he's feeling 100 percent.

"I'd be lying if I said I felt great and I can absoultely turn it loose," Pettitte said. "I'm not there yet. It's a work in progress. I'm going to have to get all of the muscles around my arm back in throwing shape. It's coming a little bit slower than I'd like for it to come. But I'm still able to throw and get my work in. The doctors say it's just going to get better and better."

Pettitte's plan is to start Tuesday's home contest with the Washington Nationals on short rest, but he will first see how he feels when he wakes up Saturday morning.

News and features: • Astros notes: Pettitte gets in work on mound • Royals hold off Astros in spring finale • Astros finalize 25-man roster
Multimedia: • Reporter Alyson Footer on Andy Pettitte:  • Astros GM Tim Purpura:  • Astros 2B prospect Chris Burke:
Info:	Schedule  | Ballpark  |  Tickets MLB.com's complete coverage

"I just have to see how my arm feels, whether I want to throw a good long bullpen or a short bullpen [in between starts]," he said. "I really haven't felt yet that I can stretch it out long-tossing the day after I pitch, like I normally do.

"There's a lot of little things that I know I'm not quite where I need to be. As long as I'm on the mound and I can get my work in, that's all I care about."

Fehr visits Kissimmee: The Astros met with Don Fehr, head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, prior to their night game with the Tigers on Friday.

The meeting was held less than 24 hours after Fehr testified at the Congressional hearings on steroid use in Major League Baseball in Washington, D.C.

Ensberg said the hearings and the new steroid policy were discussed Friday, along with a myriad of standard topics. The meeting lasted nearly two hours.

"We talked about financial issues, we talked about hearings, talked about charities, talked about our investment plans," Ensberg said. "You talk about the entire spectrum about everything that's going on."

Bird watching: And here we thought managers don't work in the offseason.

Phil Garner will be featured in a bird hunting show on the Outdoor Channel on Monday at 4 p.m. ET. The show was filmed in January in Canadian, Texas, located in the northern panhandle about 100 miles northeast of Amarillo.

"It's a pretty part of the country," Garner said. "And there's not a whole lot up there, so it's great for hunting. It's a lot of land."

Coming up: The Astros will host the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. ET in Kissimmee. Left-hander Carlos Hernandez will start, and he will be followed by right-handers Tim Redding and Brandon Duckworth. The Astros will face left-hander Gustavo Chacin.

On Sunday, the Astros travel to Jupiter to meet the Florida Marlins. Right-hander Brandon Backe will start, followed by righties Chad Qualls and Dan Wheeler. Right-hander Ismael Valdez will start for the Marlins.