Phil Hughes makes his last Spring Training start today in a split-squad game. The Yanks don't need a fifth starter until April 17, so there's talk he could throw for Scranton until he's needed.
He'll be opposed by Brian Duensing of the Twins.
First pitch is 1:05. TV is YES and ESPN.
- Postgame notes of a 4-2 loss -
The bad Hughes: he allowed all three earned runs after two outs with no one on base. He can't afford to let up with two outs, especially in the AL East. He couldn't locate his changeup at all; he threw six by my count, but not one for a strike.
The good Hughes: he recovered from a shaky first and largely maintained his velocity. He reached 93 MPH in the first and still hit 92 in the fifth. That has been a problem for him in previous years; while he would start out in the low 90s, he'd be sitting 88-89 by the fifth.
Chan Ho is making a serious bid to be 'The Eighth Inning Guy' after another perfect inning with two K's. His spring ERA is flawless. Joba also threw a perfect inning, but with no K's.
Outside of Arod (1-3, HR) and Juan Miranda (3-3, HR, 2B), no hitter stood out.
Next game: Toronto in Dunedin at 1:05 tomorrow.
He'll make his first regular season start on April 15. Between now and then he'll make two Extended Spring Training starts but will stay on the active roster (presumably so that the Yanks don't have to use an option).