Wang to Pitch One More in AAA; Hughes to Start Monday

The Yanks announced today that Wang will have one more start at AAA and pitch against Pawtucket (Boston's minor league affiliate) Friday night.  That will allow Phil Hughes to make his scheduled start on Monday. 

Wang's numbers in his 2 AAA starts have been nothing but dominant, giving up zero runs in 2 starts, but you get the sense the Yanks are still hesitant to throw him out there against big league hitters.  It could be they want to skip him against the lefty-laden lineup of the Phillies.  Hughes nice performance yesterday probably also intrigued team management to give him another start before he is demoted back to Scranton.  

What if Wang is terrible when he returns and continues to get pounded?   It sounds like he still isn't hitting the radar gun like he did before last year's season-ending injury to his foot.  Would the Yanks consider moving him to the pen and bring back Hughes for the rotation?  

I almost think Wang would be an intriguing option in the pen - he could be the long man and move Aceves to the 7th/8th inning.  Maybe he can find the missing mph on his sinker by letting it rip for an inning or two.   He could also induce the double play ball if he came in with inherited runners on base.  But if Wang does return to his old form, his talent clearly belongs in the rotation.  When he's on, he gives a solid 7-8 innings per start.  This would allow Hughes to continue developing his changeup and cutter in the minors while waiting for a potential injury call up or replace Joba when he nears his innings quota for the season.  

For now, Yankee fans will have to wait, and hold our breaths when Wang runs into his first sign of trouble.