Yankees yank Hughes from rotation
The New York Yankees bumped struggling right-hander Phil Hughes from the rotation, ESPNNewYork.com reported Wednesday.
Manager Joe Girardi decided this week to replace Hughes with left-hander David Huff.
"It's been (an) up-and-down year for Phil and Huff's been throwing the ball well, and we are just going to make the change," Girardi told ESPNNewYork.com.
Hughes has a 4-13 record with a 4.86 ERA in 26 starts this year. He has given up 23 home runs and the team's record is 10-16 when he starts.
Huff pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed one earned run in relief of Hughes on Monday in a game against the Chicago White Sox.
Huff is 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA in six appearances this season for the Yankees, who acquired the 29-year-old after the Cleveland Indians designated him for assignment in May.
The 27-year-old Hughes, who becomes a free agent after the season, will now pitch out of the bullpen for the first time since 2009. In the past, he was more effective as a reliever, with a 1.44 ERA in relief compared with a 4.72 career ERA as a starter.
