WHY HUGHES TO ALDS A NO-GO

Look, Phil Hughes has had a tough year. We all know he can pitch, after all, he’s young and talented, but sometimes when your back’s against the wall, literally, and it’s the last week of September, you need to come to the realization it ain’t happening this year. Luckily for Phil, Girardi has an idea.

After the most recent setback with Phil's cranky back followed by the epidural shot, Joe suggested that maybe the best thing for the Yankees and Phil would be the bullpen for the ALDS.

Joe said: “I think you have to think about it. Just because he hasn’t thrown in a while.”

Now, I think that's interesting, although to tell you the truth, in the first round of the ALDS, I would suggest NOT bringing him. Phil hasn't contributed. He's not 100% and even tonight, he didn't impress me against the Rays.

Now yes, it's true, I wrote a piece awhile back called WHY THE PEN IS WHERE PHIL HUGHES BELONGS and at the time, I meant it. But Ladies and Gentlemen, this is September and it's way too late. I personally don't think Hughes can add anything to the first round of the postseason. If anything, let him work out some kinks now, have him throw bullpen sessions while the Yankees take care of business in the ALDS and if things look promising, Hughes is welcome to the ALCS. Otherwise, time to move on in 2011, see you in 2012. Sorry to sound harsh, but that's the reality in my opinion.

Phil Hughes is a talent but since that injury in Texas where he was pitching a no-hitter back in 2007, I feel like Phil's got a case of Nick Johnson-itis. Bad luck and injury is Phil Hughes right now. Can we straighten out the ship? Yes, but much like Eric Chavez, who’s incredible when he’s healthy, bad luck follows you everywhere.

So, what do you think? Should Hughes stay home in the ALDS or should he join the bullpen. Be sure to vote in our poll.

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WHY MARK PRIOR CAN'T CATCH A BREAK

Mark Prior’s hurt again. I swear to God. It’s like a bad bad joke. I suggest he cut all ties with Nick Johnson immediately, this is ridiculous. Prior was scheduled to pitch yesterday, but because of what seems to be a sore shoulder, they scratched his pitching appearance. Read about it HERE.

When does a player decided that enough’s enough? Mark Prior, who has fought his way through arm surgery, soreness, groin pulls and who knows what else has to think that he’s getting Punk’ed right now and Ashton Kutcher’s about to pop up in Tampa and laugh his balls off. But it’s not that simple. Clearly Mark Prior’s body’s not working right. The Associated Press reports that he was supposed to pitch in a Gulf Coast League game and because of that soreness, they decided to give it a few days. Let’s hope it’s just a few days.

Look, I wrote about my love for Mark Prior in THE PATIENCE OF MARK PRIOR. Maybe I should just cut ties with my obessession, it’s clear this guy may not make an appearance this year. But yes, it’s true, because of Prior’s drive and dedication to make it, I can’t walk away just yet. Now look, if he comes back from this injury and suddenly gets hit by a truck, I really have to rethink this. For now, I have some strict ground rules for Mark Prior getting back to the Bigs:

• Prior must stay in the bubble and only come out if there is a catcher 6o feet 6 inches away.
  
  
• He must make sure it’s at least 75 degrees and sunny and he needs to wear sunscreen.
• Prior must make sure your shoes are tied, or better yet, get Velcro cleats.
• He make be sure the mound is manicured and there is no rosin bag. We don’t want him to trip over it.
  
  
• Only throw 5 pitches, that’s safe.
  
  
• He should wear sunglasses. We don’t want dirt to accidently get kicked in his eyes.
  
  
• When Prior's finished throwing, he needs to walk slowly to the dugout. DO NOT step on the foul line. Instead, he needs to step over it. I’m supersticious.

Mark, I hope you read Bleeding Yankee Blue and yes, I know it’s got to be frustrating at this point but we have to laugh. It’s pure comedy. How does someone get hurt as much as you and NOT laugh. Sorry Eric Chavez, I forgot about you.

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UPDATES ON THE YANKEES WALKING WOUNDED

A lot is going on with the Yankee injuries, check this out:
Ivan Nova: Remember him? Well, he's hurt. I swear to God. Apparently when Nova came out of the dugout in his Scranton Wilkes Barre game, he hurt his right ankle. Read it HERE. So he has been moved to the DL. Hopefully this injury isn't serious, but we will just have to wait and see. It kind of sucks, Nova had pitched well, Then he was sent down to make room for Phil Hughes. Now he gets hurt...this guys is having a streak of bad luck lately.Eric Chavez: Finally Chavez is on the way back. He went 4 for 5 with 4 singles in his last rehab game as a DH and he will probably play first or third base in his next game in Scranton. If all is well, we should see this guy in a week or so. Read it HERE.

As we know, Chavez is fragile, probably a long lost cousin of Nick Johnson no doubt, but while he’s delicate, he still has to prove he can play and by play I mean, full games and hard. No doubt the Yankees like his bat and defense but their not going to throw him into the mix if he stubs his toe running out of the dugout. He needs to be in the game and prove his worth.

Rafael Soriano: Needs to pitch consecutive days to prove himself. He did a rehab assignment in Tampa and gave up 2 runs, 1 hit was a homer. It's being reported as a good thing, but to me, that doesn't sound too good. It was Class A ball. Wow, it makes me a little concerned. Read it HERE.

RaSo has been out for a while and David Robertson has pretty much ran the bullpen to get to Mo lately. You cannot tell me that when and if RaSo comes back he's just going to assume he gets his spot back, no way. Not going to happen. RaSo needs to prove his worth again. He needs to pitch well, even if it’s a none save situation or even if there are men on base. My point is, he needs to come in in the situations we need him to, not when HE wants to. No negotiation with this guy, this is hard love approach and Soriano is about to enter the school of hard knocks in my opinion. If he passes these tests and gets back in the bullpen the next few weeks, and doesn’t bitch and moan and become a disease in the clubhouse, there will be success and we would welcome him. If RaSo comes back trying to run the joint, expect chaos and uncertainty in that bullpen, I would even suspect lack of focus and losses to follow. A bad attitude will kill a winning streak and momentum all day long and I hope to God he comes back sunshine and lollipops.

Now, David Robertson is a gentleman, he’s a team player and he will speak to the press and say that Rafael is welcome, but I would hope his teammates back him up here and let the world know how valuable Robertson has been since RaSo has been out. I hope they defend Robertson and make a solid argument that he can’t get pushed from his role in the pen.

It’s going to be an interesting 2 to 3 weeks for Nova, Chavez and Soriano, one is a team player, one is hard to read and the other just had a freak accident, but one things for sure, at the end of the day, we’re the New York Yankees and we need the perfect formula to win 28, and we need these guys healthy. Anything less would be a failed season.

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