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Yankees' Phil Hughes Hits 95 MPH In Staten Island Rehab Start

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- Yankees starter Phil Hughes struck out seven batters in a rehab appearance with Class-A Staten Island on Sunday, yielding one run and three hits in 4 1-3 innings.

Hughes' fastball was clocked consistently at 93 mph and topped out at 95 mph, according to the New York Daily News.

An All-Star last year when he went 18-8, Hughes was 0-1 with a 13.94 ERA in three starts this year. He struggled to reach 90 mph with his fastball, though the team initially chalked it up to the cold weather and his penchant for slow starts.

"Sometimes it's tough when you haven't thrown in a while. I was worried my command might be off a bit," Hughes told the Daily News. "But I was pleased that I was throwing strikes and getting ahead in the count."

The right-hander, out since April 15 because of inflammation in his right shoulder, was scheduled to throw around 65 pitches. He threw 61. His last: a long home run to Brooklyn Cyclones catcher Nelfi Zapata in the fifth inning.

"I tried to get it down and away and it just leaked over the plate," Hughes said. "Both at-bats he was taking good swings, he seemed like a pretty good hitter."

While the Yankees lost 5-3, Hughes finished with a no decision.

Next top in the rehab tour for Hughes: Double-A Trenton.

Should the Yankees rush Hughes back? Sound off in the comments below...

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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