Yanks' Hughes Progresses, Pavano Steps Back

The Yankees are a team with three outfielders who are paid about $15 million each and yet they still feature a starting rotation filled with scrubs like Darrell Rasner, Sidney Ponson, and Dan Giese. That rotation will have to change if the Yankees have any real shot at catching the Boston Red Sox for the AL Wild Card this season. By the way they are five and a half back. That rotation will change when Phil Hughes and Carl Pavano come off the DL. The problem the Yankees have now are a couple of huge question marks, will either return in time to make a difference? And will they be effective once they actually do return? Last night Hughes pitched in triple-A Scranton and shed light on those questions with an impressive performance, but Pavano's sub-par performance makes you think he may never pitch in the Pinstripes again. Hughes' start for Scranton was exactly what he needed, he started last night with a pitch count around 85 and finished throwing 84 pitches and 50 for strikes. In 5.1 innings Hughes allowed just two runs on three hits and one walk to go along with four strike outs. The two runs came in the sixth inning when Hughes appeared to run out of gas. After getting the first batter out that inning he proceeded to give up a ground rule double before walked a batter. He was then pulled and the reliever allowed both runners to score. Before that Hughes was strong all game as he allowed only one runner to get into scoring position and never really allowed the Pawtucket Red Sox to gain any momentum offensively. Pavano was not nearly as impressive, in just 4.1 innings for the Trenton Thunder he allowed five runs on seven hits, no walks, and a pair of homers including one to lead-off the game. He had about the same pitch count as Hughes, 85, but only ended up throwing 79 pitches with 50 thrown for strikes. The rust was evident though, the NY Daily News reported that his velocity sat at around 86 to 89 MPH. He also hit a pair of batters which caused him some trouble. There were a few positive things to take from his start, he didn't walk a batter and settled in after the first inning until he tired in the fifth. His sinker apparently was working last night as he had six ground outs to four fly outs. He also got a big double play in the third and his three strike outs all came in big spots. The problem with Pavano's start is that he is showing the rust of such a long lay-off. His velocity isn't where he would like it to be and the pair of batters he hit comes after his last start where he threw a couple of wild pitches. He is also suffering late in his starts which means he may be more than just one or two more starts away from getting his form back. Essentially he is still a ways away from pitching in the Bronx and if they rush him he'll likely get lit up. Hughes on the other hand looks pretty good. Although he has never had a problem getting minor leaguers out it shows that he is not nearly as rusty and should pick up where he left off before the rib injury. The Yankees would still be wise to give him one or two more starts before calling him up so when he does pitch in Yankee Stadium he will have no excuses about poor velocity or stamina.