David Phelps barely made the major league roster out of spring training and didn’t start a game for the Yankees until May 3, but he’ll take the mound for one of the most important games of the season tonight against the Red Sox.
“Whatever role we’ve put him in, he’s done a good job for us,” manager Joe Girardi said of using Phelps instead of Ivan Nova. “He’s thrown strikes.”
The move to sit Nova was made because of his continued poor performance in the second half.
“It’s really disappointing,” Nova said. “I was going to pitch the last one, but there’s not a chance right now. He’s doing what’s best for the team. If he thinks that, we’ll go with that.”
Girardi waited until yesterday to make the decision, after only having to use Phelps for 1 2/3 innings Saturday in Toronto.
Despite being a rookie, Phelps is confident he has pitched in enough important games to prepare him for a crucial late-season start.
“We haven’t played a stress-free game since I’ve been back,” said Phelps, who was recalled to The Bronx in July. “We’ve been down to the wire the entire season. Nothing’s going to change.”
The right-hander also pointed to his Sept. 12 win in Boston, when he gave up just one run in 5 2/3 innings in a 5-4 victory.
“Just knowing that I’ve started against them twice now,” said Phelps, who said he is ready to throw 95-100 pitches. “They have a lot of the same guys in the lineup. That’s where my confidence is.”
Nova’s confidence, on the other hand, seemed to be waning.
“They were expecting more from me,” Nova said. “I was trying to give everything I got. Things didn’t go the way I wanted.”
Girardi said Nova will be available out of the bullpen. He also said Phil Hughes’ spot as the No. 4 starter in the rotation is not in jeopardy following his ugly outing Sunday in Toronto.
“We look at Hughes as being one of the starters for us,” Girardi said. “That’s our expectation.”
***
Brett Gardner got his first at-bat since returning from July elbow surgery when he pinch-hit for Ichiro Suzuki in the eighth. He grounded out, but said he felt good.
“It’s nice to play and not worry about something bothering you,” the left fielder said.
Girardi said Gardner’s ability to hit makes him a consideration for the postseason roster.
“It’s definitely something to think about,” Girardi said. “Now he’s a player. That makes a difference.”
***
Joe Torre was shown on the scoreboard twice and received loud ovations both times. … Melky Mesa had his first major league hit in the eighth, driving in Eduardo Nunez with a single to center.