DETROIT — The good news for Yankees right-hander Phil Hughes is that he does not have a circulation or vascular problem in his pitching arm.
The puzzling news for the disabled hurler is, what is wrong?
Hughes was examined by a specialist, Dr. Robert William Thompson, in St. Louis yesterday after tests in New York last week indicated Hughes was possibly suffering from thoracic outlet syndrome, which causes circulation trouble.
Surgery is a worst-case remedy for that condition.
But, as the Yankees announced last night during their 5-3 victory over the Tigers, Thompson eliminated TOS yesterday as a reason for Hughes’ dead arm, which landed him on the disabled list.
However, Thompson did not give a reason for Hughes’ drop in velocity from 94 mph last year to 89 this season, when he was 0-1 with a 13.94 ERA in three starts before being placed on the DL.
The Yankees did not say what the next step is for Hughes — only that he is returning to New York and not rejoining the team on this road trip.
“We are going to try and keep him going and strengthen [the arm],” said manager Joe Girardi.
Even though the Yanks don’t know what is causing the dead arm, Girardi was encouraged by yesterday’s developments.
“It makes me feel better,” he said.