New York Yankees: Freddy Garcia and Phil Hughes Upset over Andy Pettitte Return

Even before they said anything, you had to believe that two of the New York Yankees starting rotation candidates, Freddy Garcia and Phil Hughes, were not going to be happy about Andy Pettitte's return.

Why is that, you ask?

Pettitte did not come back to pitch in the minors or out of the bullpen. Pettitte came back to be a starting pitcher, and as long as he's healthy and able to take the mound, that means there is one less spot for Hughes and Garcia.

According to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, Hughes was diplomatic in his statement, but still sounded slightly resentful about the move:

"

Everyone in here is excited for him to come back. You could tell when he was here that he wanted to come back. I think everyone kind of had an idea at some point – we didn’t know it was going to be the next week – but it is what it is.

"

Garcia, on the other hand, wasn't as careful to hide his emotions as Hughes was. According to Marc Carig of The Star-Ledger:

"

'I don’t really care,' Garcia said, when asked about Pettitte’s return. 'That’s their decision. I’m here to pitch and that’s what I want to do.'

When asked if Pettitte’s addition was good for the team, Garcia threw his hands up, seemingly exasperated by the turn of events.

'I don’t know man,' said Garcia, who like Hughes a day before, gave a lukewarm reaction. 'Ask the people. I don’t know. I guess …You play with the Yankees, nothing surprises you.'

"

As much as it doesn't surprise me that the Yankees added more insurance to their rotation, it also doesn't surprise me that Hughes and Garcia are upset.

They both made it halfway through spring, and although their spots in the rotation weren't guaranteed, both were having a good enough spring to break camp as parts of the starting five.

And while that may still happen, both will have to be looking over their shoulders as the season goes on, waiting for Pettitte to eventually be ready and possibly take their starting jobs. In that scenario, either or both could see bullpen action this year, and that can't be a pleasant thought for them.

But as Garcia eluded to, this is the Yankees, and unless you're making $20 million per year, tomorrow is never guaranteed in pinstripes. Instead of complaining about it, both starters should bear down and work their butts off to earn their spots and put the fate of their seasons in their own hands.

If they truly pitch well enough, manager Joe Girardi may not be able to remove either in place of Pettitte.

But if they don't, neither should be surprised that the Yanks will be looking to insert the most trusted pitcher in the team's history in their place.

Bottom line: Stop whining, and start pitching.