Phil Hughes is at least another six weeks away from rejoining the Yankees, and the young right-hander, battling shoulder inflammation, received a cortisone shot in his right shoulder, team officials revealed before tonight’s game. While the Yankees were very concerned that Hughes was suffering from thoracic outlet syndrome, the club has been more worried about Hughes’ right shoulder inflammation than they were letting on, and on April 28, they gave their number three starter an injection.
Hughes will now rest for two weeks before beginning a throwing program. If all goes according to plan, Hughes could rejoin the team in six weeks, but Brian Cashman said it could be at least another eight weeks until the starter is back on the mound in the Bronx. “Clearly he’ll have to build his arm strength up again, and that will be that true test if we’re through the woods,” the Yanks’ GM said. “Hopefully, this is just a bump in the road.” The club does not plan to send their pitcher for more tests right now, and hopefully, Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon can hold the fort in his absence.