Phil Hughes To Start Season On DL; Ailing Yankees Claim RHP Demel
TAMPA, Fla. (CBSNewYork/AP) — Yankees starter Phil Hughes will join Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson on New York's disabled list for the start of the season.
New York manager Joe Girardi announced the decision Wednesday after watching Hughes pitch in his second minor league exhibition game since returning from a bulging disk in his upper back.
Hughes gave up five hits and struck out four over five shutout innings against Toronto Class A players. He threw 81 pitches, including 53 strikes.
"I felt better in the beginning than I did towards the end, but I got through it all right," Hughes said. "Got the pitch count up and now it's just matter of continuing to build on that, and be ready to go. I think I'm close."
Hughes is expected to miss his first turn through the rotation, which means that fifth-starter candidates Ivan Nova and David Phelps are both likely to start the season in the rotation.
Hughes is scheduled to pitch in a minor league game Monday.
"I'm happy with where he's at today," said Girardi. "He'll have another one down here and we'll see where he's at."
New York general manager Brian Cashman said he doesn't expect Jeter, who continues to get treatment for left ankle soreness, will play in a minor league game through this weekend.
"We're going to give him a few days to calm down, so we'll back off completely," Cashman said. "Eliminate the pain he had when this occurred."
Cashman said there is no timetable for Jeter's return.
"I know we'll get him back," Cashman said. "I can't tell you what that date will be."
Also on Wednesday, the Yankees claimed right-handed reliever Sam Demel off waivers from the Houston Astros. Robinson Cano will sit out Wednesday night's game with a stomach bug, Girardi said.
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