MLB Rumors: Latest Buzz Around New York Yankees Rotation

The New York Yankees continue with pitching woes that may be solved with an infusion of talent, but that leaves a great many questions as to how the rotation will be shuffled. 

It's time to play musical chairs in the Bronx, and it will feature a new arm the Yankees are eager to take a look at and a seasoned vet that will be tested early. 

Michael Pineda and Andy Pettitte are nearing returns, and the hope is they will be the solution to an ERA that is hovering at 4.18.

The Star-Ledger reports the latest on Pineda and Pettitte, who are coming along nicely, and both will pitch in extended spring training games shortly. 

That means an up-and-down rotation will have two arms shoved in the middle, and something is going to give. 

If you ask CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, he suggests two likely arms that will be relegated to the bullpen with the influx of talent. According to Heyman:

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Yankees starters have been turning in not-so-great outings most of this young year, giving rise to constant speculation about who will be demoted to the pen once the admirable Pettitte and the ridiculed Pineda emerge. Hughes, an 18-game winner two years ago whose best work was still done previously in the pen, could be a candidate for relief duty once the others come.

"

Hughes is coming off of a harsh start against the Minnesota Twins. While he settled after a big first inning by the Twins, it hardly helped his cause considering his early-season returns. 

Hughes, through three games started, has an ERA north of six and has all but lost the confidence of the fans. 

The other pitcher that will be likely ripped from the rotation is Freddy Garcia, per Heyman:

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...and while one Yankees person wondered aloud whether Garcia has anything at all left, the reality is he's gotten by with almost nothing for two years now. Rothschild said the issue in Garcia's slow start is really location, which needs to be very good when a pitcher has little to nothing.

"

Ouch. 

It's clear that Garcia is following nobody out there, but I wonder how this starter will fare coming out of the bullpen when he continues to struggle with just about every part of his game. 

Garcia has started two games and has been lit up in each. 

His 6.97 ERA and 1.55 WHIP make him an easy target to relegate, but he will need to improve a great deal to even be a success in limited innings. 

The Yankees continue to struggle on the bump, but help is on the way. 

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