New York Yankees Call Up Phil Hughes, Could Start Wednesday

As a 20-year-old pitching in Trenton Phil Hughes made a name for himself as he completely dominated hitters at the double-A level.

Last season Hughes was rushed up to the major leagues and impressed right away as he nearly threw a no-hitter in his very first start. Everything after that was a different story as Hughes dealt with random injuries and ineffectiveness.

This season has also been injury marred and out of focus, but after rehabbing from a rib injury Hughes made a risky decision to stop throwing his slider and instead has begun to throw a cutter. He has also renewed his focus on improving his changeup.

It is likely the decision to change his repertoire that kept Hughes in the minor leagues after his rehab stint ended. That would give him time to work on the pitches in a no pressure situation and the move seems to be paying off.

Lately Hughes has regained his dominant form in triple-A during the playoffs no less. In his past two starts he has combined to go 13 innings, eight hits, one run, four walks, and 23 strike outs.

Those are amazing numbers and when you take into account what he did in the playoffs last season against Cleveland. We’re only talking three separate performances here, but Hughes is beginning to show the makings of a big game pitcher and that should be exciting to any Yankee fan.

Due to the injuries Hughes sustained this year his development was held back as he was likely expected to throw 130-150 innings this season and instead he has been held to about 60 so far. This call-up should get him at least two more starts which will be another 10 or so innings. To make up for that Hughes will report to the Arizona fall league so his total should be over 100 for the season.

That will put him in the running to make the Yankee rotation out of spring training, but that spot is definitely not guaranteed. By keeping Hughes in the minors after his rehab and instead calling upon Carl Pavano to make starts the Yankees have shown that they do think he was probably rushed a bit and could elect to keep him in triple-A to start 2009.

His amazing triple-A post season has earned him a well deserved September call-up and could spell the end for Sidney Ponson in pinstripes. Ponson was merely a stop gap anyways and the inconsistent and troublesome starter has no future with the team anyways so taking him out of the rotation seems to be a no brainer.

The Yankees have not confirmed they will take Ponson out of the rotation or what role Hughes will fill for the remainder of the season. Good money is on Hughes to make his regularly scheduled start on Wednesday.

To go along with Hughes, David Robertson also received a call-up after Scranton’s season ended. There is a possibility they call up Ian Kennedy, Justin Christian, and Juan Miranda as well.