Hughes strong in simulated game

While he waits for his first big league start of the year, Phil Hughes is biding his time down in Tampa in Extended Spring Training. The 23-year-old faced a bunch of young prospects today, throwing 70 of his 100 pitches for strikes, which worked out to being the equivalent of 8.1 innings. He struck out 12 and allowed just three hits. Hughes is scheduled to join the rest of the team for tomorrow’s game in Fenway, then will throw another simulated game on Saturday, when the Yanks will be in Tampa to take on the Rays.