Hughes Disappoints in Final Against Rangers

Phil Hughes and Russell Martin talk on the mound Wednesday against the Texas Rangers (Getty Images)

Phil Hughes had another pour outing tonight in the loss to the dangerous Texas Rangers by a final score of 7-3. Hughes was hoping to have a good start to secure a spot in the rotation, but he was unsuccessful.

Hughes allowed 4 runs on 5 hits. He lasted only 2 2/3 innings. He struck out 2 and walked 0.

Clay Rapada relieved Hughes to get out of the jam. He pitched 1/3 of an inning.

David Phelps was called on to provide a long relief outing. He struggled too tonight. He gave up 3 runs on 5 hits. He walked 3 and struck out 1. Mike Napoli and Mitch Moreland both went deep off of him.

Derek Jeter increased his hit streak tonight to 15 games. He went 2-4.

The Yankees' have an off day tomorrow, but they will be back at the Stadium on Friday night. They conclude this road trip with a 3-2 record.

Michael Pineda to Have Surgery; Out for '12

Michael Pineda in a Spring Training start in March. (The Associated Press)

Michael Pineda will undergo arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday to repair an anterior labral tear in his right shoulder.

The Yankees were counting on Michael Pineda to bring some depth to their rotation this year. With Freddy Garcia and Phil Hughes struggling, the Yankees really could have used Michael Pineda this season.

Brian Cashman has made many statements regarding receiving damaged goods in the trade to acquire the hard throwing right hander in the offseason for Jesus Montero, the Yankees top prospect.

"In no way do I believe, or do the New York Yankees believe, that the Seattle Mariners had any knowledge of any issues here with Michael Pineda prior to the trade or anything of that nature," Cashman said. "He was a fully healthy player we acquired. We had full access to his medicals, which were clean."

"We had the opportunity to do a full physical exam, which we did, which came out clean. Michael has never had a shoulder issue nor has he complained of one with the Mariners, nor has he ever had any tests on the shoulder with the Mariners. This is just an unfortunate circumstance that can happen. It happened."

Pineda reportedly had weakness in his right shoulder this past Saturday when he had to cut his extended spring training start in Tampa short. He threw only 15 pitches and complained of weakness in his right shoulder, not pain.

Fortunately the righty did not injure his rotator cuff. That's a positive sign for Pineda and the Yankees.

The surgery requires a minimum of a 12 month recovery period. If everything goes right, he should be pitching by May of 2013.

Andy Pettitte Pitches in Double-A Trenton

Andy Pettitte delivers a pitch in the first inning. (The Associated Press Photo)

Andy Pettitte pitched in his fourth minor league start tonight for Double-A Trenton. He threw 81 pitches, the most he's thrown in an outing so far.

According to Brian Cashman, the general manager of the Yankees, Andy is just 2-3 starts away from being back in the big leagues.

Pettitte allowed 4 runs, 3 earned runs, in 5 innings of work. He gave up 7 hits and struck out 3. He walked 1 batter also. He threw 81 pitches, 59 of them for strikes.

Andy will likely make a start Sunday or Monday of next week.

The Yankees could use another starter in their rotation, with Freddy Garcia and Phil Hughes struggling.

Game 18: Yankees at Rangers

                                April 25th, 2012, 8:05 ET, Rangers Ballpark, Arlington, Texas

The Yankees and Rangers finish up their 3 game series tonight. Phil Hughes takes the mound for the Yankees and looks to shutdown the Rangers.

Here are the lineups.

Yankees (10-7)
Derek Jeter, SS
Curtis Granderson, CF
Alex Rodriguez, DH
Robinson Cano, 2B
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Nick Swisher, RF
Raul Ibanez, LF
Eric Chavez, 3B
Russell Martin, C

Pitching: Phil Hughes RHP (1-2, 6.75 ERA this season)

Rangers (14-4)
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Elvis Andrus, SS
Josh Hamilton, CF
Adrian Beltre, 3B
Michael Young, DH
Nelson Cruz, RF
David Murphy, LF
Mike Napoli, C
Mitch Moreland, 1B

Pitching: Scott Feldmen RHP (0-0, 0.00 ERA this season)

Enjoy the game!

Yankees' Fall to Rangers

Hiroki Kuroda throws a pitch in the first inning against the Texas Rangers Tuesday night. (Getty Images)

The Yankees' lost to the Rangers Tuesday night by a score of 2-0. Yu Darvish was lights out for the Rangers as he pitched 8 1/3 innings of shut out ball. He allowed 7 hits while walking 2 and striking out 10.

Hiroki Kuroda was sharp tonight, but he was on the losing side of this match up. Kuroda allowed 2 runs on 5 hits in 6 2/3 innings pitched. He walked 2 and struck out 5. Kuroda allowed a lead off home run to Ian Kinsler that gave Texas the early lead. The other run came from a single by Josh Hamilton to score Elvis Andrus in the 3rd inning.

Derek Jeter continued his hot hitting tonight by going 2-4. His average is up to .416 on the season.

The Yankees and Rangers conclude this 3 game series tomorrow when Phil Hughes takes the mound for the Yankees.