Update: He's baaaack.
... It is possible the Yankees could also bring right-hander Ian Kennedy to the big leagues before the month is out, a move that would complete a return to form that progressed quicker than expected.
Coming back from surgery on an aneurysm that was discovered under his right armpit, Kennedy pitched three perfect innings for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday, striking out six.
The 24-year-old Kennedy is still set to pitch in the Arizona Fall League in November, but Girardi said that he may have an unscheduled detour to New York first.
Ian Kennedy has had a great minor league career, and comes from one of the top college programs in the country (USC). Take a gander at his stats: 249 ip, 1.95 ERA, .985 WHIP, 6.1 H/9, 2.8 BB/9, 9.9 K/9, .4 HR/9.
They're eerily similar to Phil Hughes':
330 ip, 2.37 ERA, .924 WHIP, 6.1 H/9, 2.2 BB/9, 10 K/9, .3 HR/9. Identical hit rates and nearly identical strikeout and homer rates.
At some point, that will translate into major league success. He could fill an Al Aceves/Phil Hughes role next year. In other words, a long-reliever and/or set-up guy, and excel.