(
)
TAMPA — Phil Hughes’ accelerated pitching program didn’t bother the bulging disk in the upper back. Nevertheless, it won’t deliver the right-hander to the Yankees’ rotation during the first trip through.
Instead, Hughes will join Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira on the disabled list.
After Ivan Nova and Hughes hurled in minor league games Wednesday, manager Joe Girardi confirmed David Phelps, who started Wednesday night against the Orioles in Sarasota, and Nova, who was rocked by Toronto’s Single-A hitters, would pitch in the opening week.
“He could possibly be ready for [April 6] if necessary, but … the plan is to give him two more [minor league] starts,” Girardi said of Hughes, who hasn’t faced big league hitters this spring.
The DL move can be backdated to March 22. That means April 6 is the first day Hughes would be eligible to come off the shelf.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean he has to,” Girardi said, “but we have to be prepared.”
If Hughes makes two more minor league starts he would be on schedule to come off the disabled list April 11 when the Yankees are in Cleveland. Should that happen, Hughes likely would replace Phelps or Nova if the other three starters aren’t injured. Based on the way Nova finished the spring — pounded by the Twins on March 22 and giving up seven runs and eight hits (two homers) yesterday, Nova is the favorite to be removed.
Phelps did nothing to hurt his chances of being a rotation regular against the Orioles. In 5 1/3 innings he allowed three earned runs, four hits, walked two and fanned nine.
“I don’t want this spring to define what I am trying to do,” said Phelps, who made a team-high seven starts that resulted in a 3-3 record and 4.18 ERA. “I don’t want to be satisfied with that. It’s one thing to get there, it’s another to stay there.”
Hughes is hoping he can show enough Monday in a game — likely in the extended spring program — to grab the fifth spot, but that is a long shot.
“It all depends on the next one, get my pitch count up, and if that’s what they want to do [then] that’s what they want to do,’’ Hughes said of the plan for two more starts. “I have to concentrate on these four days, pitch on Monday and see from there.”
Pitching coach Larry Rothschild’s concern for Hughes is that the back issues that sidelined him early in camp are gone.
“As long as he is healthy, that’s the important thing,’’ Rothschild said of Hughes, whose fastball was clocked at 92-93 mph. In five scoreless innings he gave up five hits, fanned four and threw 81 pitches. “It’s not easy catching up that much ground.’’
As for Nova, he admitted the last two outings haven’t been pleasing but wasn’t down on himself for the entire body of spring training work.
“It wasn’t what I expected, but I didn’t think it was bad,’’ said Nova, who was 1-0 with a 4.19 ERA in five games and battled control issues the past two outings. “A lot of people look at the ERA, but I look at the arm in shape and do what Larry did with my mechanics. He said to make adjustments.’’
Rothschild shortened Nova’s arm motion but said it wasn’t a major change. Early in the spring Nova threw strikes but lately his command has slipped.
“I don’t think he has pitched as well as we would have liked him to. A lot of times that doesn’t make a difference as long as his stamina is there and he is built up strength-wise,” Rothschild said. “Obviously, if you had your druthers, you would want to see him pitch well and make quality pitches throughout. He has made a lot of quality pitches and he has made mistakes and the mistakes have cost him.”