Yankees To Start Pavano Or Hughes Sat.

While the Yankees aren't technically eliminated from the playoffs yet, they are going to need more starting pitching in order to hang on. As the rotation stands right now they've got Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte, Sidney Ponson, Darrell Rasner, and one yet to be named. The fifth starter won't be needed until Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles. The two likeliest candidates are Carl Pavano and Phil Hughes. Both pitchers are still rehabbing, Hughes with triple-A Scranton and Pavano with double-A Trenton. In their starts last week Hughes showed some real progress and Pavano showed the rust you would expect a pitcher to have coming off of Tommy John surgery. This week it is the opposite. Last we heard of Hughes he had pitched a great game, but had shown signs of stamina issues late in the game. Well there may be an issue there as he didn't manage to make it out of the fourth inning this time around. He did manage to throw 91 pitches (63 for strikes), but that's only seven more pitches than he threw in five-plus innings last week. Which means he's laboring and going deep into counts. In 3.2 innings Hughes gave up eight hits, five runs, zero walks, four strike outs, and one homer. He had little trouble in the first two innings thanks to some good defense and some timely strike outs. The trouble started in the third with a pair of singles before a double knocked them both in. He then lead off the forth with a hit by pitch. It looked like he'd get away with that one after retiring the next two batters, but a two-run homer, a double, and an RBI single later and he got the curtain call. Pavano was the opposite in his latest start. He threw six innings, gave up just six hits, one run on a solo homer, one walk, and six strike outs. All that and he did it in just 88 pitches throwing 58 for strikes. That is a total 180 from his last two appearances. "He was able to keep his breaking ball sharp," Trenton manager Tony Franklin said. "That's a strong indication that your legs are feeling good and aren't tired. I remember before when I went to get him (in Tuesday's game), he said he was gassed; that was about 50 pitches. Tonight, I didn't have to go get him at all, which is a good thing. Each start he's gotten better. At 80 pitches and you've still got good stuff. He's coming along really well." That's a good sign for Pavano, but I still wouldn't get your hopes up. Coming back from Tommy John surgery is not something that happens fast. Although if he can reach 100 pitches regularly while throwing strikes he could still contribute to the Yankees this season. Barring a pair of injuries, which is more than possible with these two, one of these guys is going to make a start for the Yankees against Baltimore this week. My guess is that it will be Pavano for two reasons. First, Hughes is still at least one start away from getting his stamina in order. He's close, but clearly he's not at 100 percent. Second, by using Pavano this weekend there is no long term risk for the Yankees. If something did happen, again totally possible, than who cares? We're Yankee fans we're used to Pavano getting hurt and he's a free agent after this season. On the other hand it is in the Yankees best interest to make sure Hughes is right for the long run. Also Hughes just needed 91 pitches to go 3.2 innings. He's close, but he's not ready. In three starts with Trenton Pavano is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 14 innings while giving up 14 hits, three walks, and 13 strike outs. Batters have hit .259 against him. In three starts with Scranton Hughes has no record with a 5.27 ERA in 13.2 innings while giving up 14 hits, three walks, and 10 strike outs. Batters have hit .264 against him.