Phil Hughes velocity enigma stumps the New York Yankees – MLB Update
Phil Hughes is giving the New York Yankees a headache, at the moment. The hard pitcher for the club could not pull up his velocity in throwing balls against the Boston Red Sox as got hit seven times in two innings of play.
Pushing his team to the edge, the pitcher allowed six runs to go off in his stint. Though the player has not cited any injury issues, the Yankees are still confused about the situation.
The club is not opting for a physical examination and their main focus has been on rebuilding the ball thrower’s speed by working on his arm strength.
"I know his velocity has not been there this year," manager Joe Girardi said. "Does it have to do with the increased work last year? Does it have to do with, it's just taking him a little time to get going? I can't tell you. There's nothing to lead us to
believe that something is bothering him, because he hasn't said anything."
In his pitching stint against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, the pitcher threw 47 times at speeds between 80-90 miles-per-hour. Instead of the usual 92-94 mph range, the player was only able to generate one swing-and-miss from the opposition. Hughes
was only able to throw heaters nine times.
The Yankees do not know what the problem is, but they believe it is not mechanical. They think a lack of velocity is attributed to low command on the ball. The management thinks the player is trying to throw harder which has caused a stress fracture in the
past. Coincidently, the damage on the ribs dipped his speed in 2008 as well. Pitching Coach Larry Rothschild had an opportunity to speak of the matter.
"We're trying to figure out how to get it back to where to should be," Rothschild said. "I think it's just going to be a natural process. All you can do is wait, give him his reps and hopefully it comes back as quickly as possible."
With more than 150 games on the card, it is important for the Yankees to get Hughes back in the line-up soon.
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