WHY HUGHES HAS SOMETHING TO PROVE

Phil Hughes is coming back tonight and all of Yankeeland will be watching. This is a man who was considered the Golden Boy of the Yankees for so long. There has been controversy about pushing him too long in the minors, or even not enough (Read WAS BILL MASSE RIGHT ABOUT HUGHES?). The Yankees made him a successful relief pitcher back in 2009 where he was a superstar, then in 20010, he was in the starting role and the kid won 18 games. There is no doubt this kid can pitch, but the real worry is, will his "Dead arm" issue resurface or is the Golden Boy back to kicking ass on the mound.(Photo: Getty)
I've always liked Hughes. There is no doubt he can pitch. And yes, with a young arm, you really need to be careful not to overwork him. It is true, the work load between 2009 and 2010 was significant and before a pitch was even thrown in 2011, Tom Verducci had his list of pitchers that may struggle after an innings increase season. Read about that HERE. Clearly, one could suggest, including me, that the increase of innings is a factor. Couple that with what former Yankee minor leaguer and coach Bill Masse said back when Hughes was a regular in the minors about not stretching these guys out, and I'd say that's a factor too.(Photo: AP)
One thing is for sure, Phil Hughes is ready. He's ready to take the mound and prove to Yankeeland that he is capable and able to pitch again. For a young kid who had a taste of glory in 2009 and 2010, there is no doubt he needs to go out with a bang in 2011.

Not hitting 90 MPH for a 25 year old this season was scary. I was very concerned back when things went down earlier this year. When everyone started dropping Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, there was huge cause for concern. The good news was, it wasn't. Rehabbing, rest and inflammatory shots were all that was needed apparently. Let's hope the diagnoses was correct. Let's hope Phil Hughes has a good outing tonight, proves the doubters wrong and gets back to his old self. It will good for Hughes' confidence and it will be great for the New York Yankees.

It was a long road back, and tonight will prove huge for Phil Hughes. Good luck kid.

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