Phil Hughes looking to turn things around – MLB New York Yankees News
Phil Hughes is looking to win the fifth starting spot on New York Yankees pitching rotation these days. The right handed pitcher struggled to make the most of available opportunities last season as he missed most of the games due to injuries. The guy has
also put up a great amount of during the offseason and he will have a lot to prove to win a permanent place on Yankees' roster.
Hughes managed to earn a 4-2 win-loss record with a poor 3.72 ERA and 1.24 WHIP last season. His performances in first half of the season were quite ordinary and although he bounced back strongly in second half; he never lived up to the expectations. Yankees’
Manager Joe Girardi was very disappointed with Hughes efforts last season. The 25 year old did not look after his health and fitness, which eventually played a key role in his decline in 2011.
“For me, personally, last year was a failure and I didn’t want to do that again, so I made sure I had no excuses coming into spring, ready to go strong and pitch well,” Hughes said. “It’s all on me — everyone can want you to succeed as much as they want,
but at the end of the day, I have to want it and go out and do it.”
“I’m in a dogfight right now and I’ve got to come out and pitch well and you never want to give up runs in spring when you’re fighting for a job,” Hughes added.
However, with 2012 regular season starting in a few weeks, the starter is looking to work hard to bring improvement in his game play in an effort to shut his critics. To stay healthy for the entire next season, Hughes has been participating in the practice
sessions regularly. Yankees manager has shown great faith in him be keeping him on the forty man roster.
It will be interesting to see if Hughes can live up to his immense potential. In his only Spring Training appearance of this season, the starter managed to make 38 throws. However, he has certainly demonstrated better arm strength than last spring. If he
can throw his fastballs, curve ball and sliders with accuracy, he will have a great chance to revive his career.
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