Their pitching staff ravaged by injuries, the Yankees will turn to a familiar face later this week when Chien-Ming Wang's usual spot in the rotation comes up. New York is expected to recall Phil Hughes from Triple-A Scranton for a Tuesday night start against the Tigers.Though it seems like Hughes has been around forever, he's still just 22 years old, and unlike last year, the Yankees have not placed massive expectations on his shoulders by putting him in the rotation from the outset of the season.
One of the positives of the Yankees' decision not to trade for Johan Santana in 2007 -- and a year later to sign CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett in free agency -- is that they have been able to build up the organization's pitching depth.
Hughes has battled a number of injuries since he first arrived in the majors in 2007, and he was mostly ineffective last year, making seven starts last April before being banished to the minors and only returning as a September callup.
But he is still a very promising young pitcher, the type most teams would be happy to have sixth or seventh on the starting pitching depth chart. Hughes is 3-0 with a 1.86 ERA in three starts for Scranton this year, and perhaps even more encouraging is his 19:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in the minors.
"Hughesie's been throwing the ball really well," manager Joe Girardi said. "I'm excited about the reports on his starts."It's been a long and winding road for the right-hander, but there's still plenty of time for him to realize his potential. If he gets a grip on a rotation spot this time around, he might not let go.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
It's about time..this kid can pitch. He was hurt last year. When he finally got healthy he pitched well in the minors. I don't understand why the Yankees didn't let him pitch instead of Pavano in those meaningless games at the end of last season. I still don't understand why Jobba is not the set up man and Hughes the fifth starter. When Wang comes back Girardi better keep Hughes in starting lineup and make Jobba the set up man, otherwise he only has himself to blame when he gets fired.
give it a rest about Joba int he pen already. what good will he do in the pitching in the 8th if you don't have starting pitchers to go through the first seven innings. joba has four solid pitches, incredible stuff, and a ton of potential. before you decide to write him off for the pen for his career, give him a chance to prove himself in the rotation. he needs to develop into a full time starter, and all you clowns complaining about him not being the set up man are clueless.
Maybe we all aren't so clueless.....in 3 starts Jobba has pitched a total of 16 innings...or 5 1/3 innings per start....and has won a total of 0 games...three of the other Yankee starters are averaging over 6 innings per start...there is nothing wrong with Jobba being set up man...being groomed to be closer....for now Jobba has to stay in rotation until Wang gets back..but how about this...in perfect world starters go 6 innings....Brunney in 7th...Jobba in 8th....and Rivera in 9th.