Saturday, March 21, 2009
MLB.com: Hughes among six Yankees cuts
TAMPA, Fla.—With spring innings now at a premium, the Yankees dispatched six right-handed pitchers to Minor League camp on Saturday morning.
Anthony Claggett, Phil Hughes and Steven Jackson were optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, while Humberto Sanchez was optioned to Double-A Trenton. Sergio Mitre and Jason Johnson were also re-assigned to Minor League camp.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman lauded Hughes’ work this spring but said the team would be doing a disservice to keep him in camp. The 22-year-old will continue preparing as a starting pitcher and could be among the first considered if there is a need in New York.
“I told him that he had a great camp and to keep working,” Cashman said. “We told him about all the things that we saw and what he needs to continue to work on. He’s in a great frame of mind. He knows he did great here, but he also knows that it’s not in his best interest to now be held back.”
Hughes pitched Friday against the Twins in Fort Myers, allowing three hits and one earned run in 4 1/3 innings. In three starts against big league teams this spring, Hughes has allowed five hits and three earned runs in 12 1/3 innings (2.19 ERA).
Not surprising, and probably the best thing for Hughes’s development in the long-term. He’ll surely get some innings in the bigs at some point this year.
Page 1 of 1 pages: