Yankees Hughes Impressive in Third Rehab Start
By Editorial Staff
Phil Hughes feels like his next start should be back in the majors. He certainly didn’t hurt his cause Wednesday during a rehab assignment with the Yankees Double-A affiliate.
Hughes was able to log 6.1 innings of three hit ball yesterday, throwing 85 pitches and inducing 20 swinging strikes. Most importantly for New York, Hughes showed increase velocity with his fastball checking in at 93 to 94 mph.
While Hughes is ready to get back into the Yankees rotation, GM Brian Cashman’s a little more reserved. He was impressed with Hughes’ effort, but still thinks another rehab start may be in order.
"“After New Britain (where Hughes only lasted 3.1 innings), we thought he’d need at least two to stretch himself out and sharpen up. But he got stretched out to some degree and sharpened up extremely well today,” Cashman said. “It wouldn’t hurt for him to get one more outing. . . . The 85 pitches he threw today in Double-A is the equivalent of 70 at the major league level in terms of workload and effort and stress – so it wouldn’t hurt to get him farther.”"
Hughes has been out since April with what the club has called dead arm.
For more on the Yankees, be sure to check out Yanks Go Yard.