Hughes Has a Fractured Rib

Bryan Hoch is reporting that Phil Hughes will be out until at least July with a stress fracture in his ribcage. What a bizarre and injury plagued season the Yankees have been dealt. This is a significant setback for a pitcher who had already been derailed by multiple injuries last year. In order to develop, pitch counts need to be increased at an incremental pace. Now, with this injury, the Yankees will have to continue limiting Hughes innings for next year and maybe even for the following year (depending on how he progresses). It really is a big blow beyond this season (Rasner should be an adequate fill in for a while).

When Will Hughes be Back?

From Tyler Kepner:

Cashman said it was not realistic to expect Hughes back at the end of the 15-day period, because he would probably have to be inactive for 10 days and then begin a throwing program. Hughes, who will have a magnetic resonance imaging test Thursday, will also need a minor league rehabilitation stint.

“These become tricky,” Cashman said. “It’s hard to put a time frame on an oblique strain. They could linger.”

So, I guess my conspiracy theory about a fake injury was false, especially if the Yanks are sending him for an MRI. Hopefully it’s nothing too serious. Either way, Hughes need time to regroup and he’s definitely going to get it (and then some). Kepner also states that Hughes was touching 94 mph last night with his fastball although, from what I saw broadcasted on YES, I don’t really remember that happening.

Movin’ On Up

Darrell Rasner has been added to the Yankee rotation and he’ll start in place of Phil Hughes this weekend.