Yankees Rotation Coming Together?

The Yankees have sustained injuries to their rotation, but they seem to be on their way back. Hughes is expected to make two more rehab starts before being activated from the disabled list, and Colon is expected back the first or 2nd week of July. Even with this news I have my questions with the Yankees staff.

For one I have not been impressed with Hughes. In his rehab start he started out throwing 95 MPH, which was great news. Then it quickly feel, and by the 5th inning he was back to throwing 88. He is not going to be affective at that speed.

I still feel Garcia and Colon are on borrowed time, and even though the Yankees are playing well right now they won't do too much unless they make a trade for more starting pitching.

Phil Hughes Has Huge Setback

"The New York Yankees were hoping that Monday?' bullpen session by Phil Hughes would at least establish a timetable for the right-hander's return. All bets are off now after Hughes continued to experience his "dead arm" issues and shut down the session after roughly a dozen pitches. After experiencing a disturbing drop in velocity, Hughes was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 15 with what the team has described as right shoulder inflammation (ESPN)."

Truth be told the Yankees (and their doctors) have no idea what is wrong with Hughes. There doesn't seem to be any structurally wrong with him. There are reports that Hughes will undergo a full body scan, because some doctors this it might be some kind of aneurysm.

The Yankees are getting by with Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon, but I really don't see that lasting. They could turn to Kevin Millwood, but I don't see him being all that effective either. Bottom line, is I see the Yankees dealing for a big time starting pitcher by the trade deadline. The question is, who is going to be available?

Just Joshing Ya

Ah, Nothing like a trip from your most heated rival to get things back on track. To be fair, Beckett was straight dealing last night, there wasn't anything the Yanks could do about it. After pitching terribly against the Yanks the past couple years, Beckett turned back the clock and shoved it like it was Game 6 of the 2003 World Series.

Some alarming points in Yankeeland:

1.) Phil Hughes' Velo. 85 MPH BP fastballs aren't going to get it done in the AL East. Hopefully he gets his arm strength up as the season progresses but the fact that the Yankees needed to throw money at the corpse of Carlos Silva this weekend is not an encouraging sign.

2.) Derek Jeter. - I love the Captain, and he can play on this team for as long as he desires and I won't complain or boo. Ever. With that being said, he just isn't the same player anymore. I got caught up in the hype around his new batting stance this spring and how he was going to have a bounce back year. With every AB that is looking more and more like a pipe dream.

3.) Ivan Nova. Kinda. - Nova seems to be doing exactly what he did last year; rip through the lineup the first time through and then struggle the next time around. He needs to learn to make adjustments out on the mound or he will continue to just be a mediocre pitcher. Fenway is a tough place to pitch in, especially against the Sox ruthless lineup so I still am willing to give him some more time before officially passing some judgment.

Either way, this weekend went exactly how I thought it would. Nothing like a little Pinstripe to cure Boston's hitting woes. Welcome to the 2011 season Sox, lets get down for the thrown down.