Yankees' Hughes heads to DL
The New York Yankees' season-opening disabled list keeps growing.
The latest addition is right-hander Phil Hughes, who is recovering from a bulging disk in his upper back.
Hughes made an appearance in a minor league game Wednesday, but since it wasn't an official Grapefruit League game, his move to the DL can still be backdated. Another minor league game is on tap for Monday, and the Yankees are targeting April 11 for Hughes' regular-season debut.
With Hughes sidelined, both Ivan Nova and David Phelps will be part of New York's rotation for at least the opening week.
Hughes, 26, went 16-13 with a 4.23 ERA in 32 starts last year, bouncing back from a disappointing 2011 season. He had a 1.56 ERA in five appearances (17 1/3 innings) against major league competition this spring.
The Yankees will begin the year without third baseman Alex Rodriguez (hip), shortstop Derek Jeter (ankle), outfielder Curtis Granderson (forearm) and first baseman Mark Teixeira (wrist).
