Phil Hughes to Make Early Start For Yankees

Phil Hughes will be making his major league debut a bit earlier than expected. The day after finding themselves swept by the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankee said they plan on having their top pitching prospect start Thursday against the Toronto Blue Jays.

With the the Yankees dropping to four games behind the AL East-leading Sox, the 20-year-old righty has compiled a 2-1 with a 3.94 ERA in three starts with AAA Scranton, pitching six shutout innings last Wednesday at Syracuse where he allowed just two hits, struck out 10 and walked none.

According to Elias, the Yankees haven't started a pitcher this young since Jose Rijo pitched as an 18- and 19-year-old in 1984.

In Sunday's 7-6 loss at Boston, Chase Wright made a forgettable impression in his second major league start, becoming only the second big league pitcher to allow four consecutive home runs in one inning. Up until last week, Wright had never pitched above the Class-AA level. To make a long story short, Wright was optioned back to Trenton on Monday when the Yankees activated left fielder Hideki Matsui from the 15-day disabled list.

The Yanks are struggling to cope with their injury-plagued rotation with Chien-Ming Wang scheduled to come off the DL on Tuesday after nursing a hamstring injury.

Andy Pettitte, who already has pitched twice in long relief, will get the ball on Wednesday, leaving Jeff Karstens, Kei Igawa and Wang to start against the Red Sox this coming weekend at Yankee Stadium.

Mike Mussina, who is out with an injured hamstring, is scheduled for a bullpen session Tuesday and is looking at pitching in a minor league rehab game on Friday. If everything goes as planned, manager Joe Torre says Moose will be slated to start against the Texas Rangers on May 3rd.

Last but certainly not least is Carl Pavano, who was sidelined with tightness in his right forearm. He played catch for a second straight day Monday, but was still feeling that pesky "grabbing" sensation while throwing.

While there is no timetable yet for his return, I'm sure after 2 years away from baseball and only starts into the season, Pavano is anxious to pitch again.

[River Ave. Blues] | [Sporting News]