New York Yankees: Why David Phelps's Move to the Rotation Might Be Permanent

Between the mountainous high of an 18 win season to the downtrodden low of a “dead arm”, the unsteady results from starter Phil Hughes have never met the Yankees lofty expectations.

Last year, the team caught fire on a cheap investment in Freddy Garcia. In 2012, that fire has dwindled to a struggling flame, as Garcia has been relegated to the bullpen.

In spring training, one or both of these pitchers were thought to be possibly expendable with the acquisition of Michael Pineda and the surprise return of Andy Pettitte. But, with Pineda on the shelf for the year due to injury and the extreme struggles of Garcia and Hughes, an unlikely name has emerged to save the day.

On Thursday, just 247 miles from his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, David Phelps will make his first Major League start against the Kansas City Royals. After serving as a long man through the first month, his number is being called on to fill a role in the lineup that some see as a stop-gap start.

However, his entry to the starting five is anything but temporary.

Just a few weeks ago, the Yankees were trying to figure out where their pitchers would serve the club best. Now, they are just trying to keep their head above the dangerous American League waters.

The 25 year-old Phelps has served primarily as a long man this season, which many times involved cleaning up Freddy Garcia’s mess. In fact, during Garcia’s implosion versus the Red Sox two weeks ago, FOX announcers Joe Buck and Tim McCarver asked skipper Joe Girardi in an in-game Q&A, if he had considered Phelps joining the rotation. Girardi said he and has his coaches hadn’t even thought about it.

Apparently, they had a meeting of the minds and came to their senses.

In 17.2 innings pitched, Phelps has struck-out 14 batters while only walking seven and sporting a 3.57 ERA. And while his earned run average might seem pedestrian, outside of two rough appearances, he has given up only one run.

Of course, the nerves will be percolating for the youngster, but he’s displayed remarkable resolve in his previous bullpen role.

Pitching in front of family and friends at Kaufman Stadium, the right-hander opens an important chapter in his career. With no guarantees from Garcia, Hughes, or even the 39 year-old “misunderstanding” Pettitte for that matter, the spot is David Phelps' to lose.

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