Hughes available out of pen this weekend
Starting pitcher Phil Hughes #65 of the New York Yankees delivers the ball against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. (Aug. 2, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
BOSTON -- Ivan Nova hadn't been called into Joe Girardi's office as of two hours before Friday's game. He saw that as a good sign. "I'm still here,'' he said, smiling.
And Nova, who sounded like a player resigned to being sent back to the minors Thursday, very well could be "here'' a little longer as Girardi weighs utilizing a six-man rotation for a second week.
Part of Girardi's plan is related to this weekend's series, as games against the Red Sox have a way of turning "crazy.'' So Phil Hughes, who last started Tuesday, will be available out of the bullpen Saturday and Sunday. "Joe said I'm still starting Tuesday,'' he said. "Larry [Rothschild] said this is in case of an emergency situation.''
If Hughes is needed in long relief either day, Nova will start Tuesday against the Angels. If Hughes isn't needed, Girardi said he'd consider starting Nova on Thursday and giving CC Sabathia, Saturday's starter, an extra day's rest. A.J. Burnett still is scheduled to start Wednesday.
Sabathia has made it clear that his preference is to pitch on regular rest, but Girardi rested him down the stretch in 2009 and it paid off in the postseason. In addition, the innings are building for veterans Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia. "It doesn't hurt for those guys every once in a while to have an extra day, especially this time of the season,'' Girardi said.
Girardi said Nova's outstanding outing Thursday, in which he allowed one run in 72/3 innings, didn't complicate things. "If he struggles, I'm not sure we would have sent him down,'' he said. "I would like to get distance from every one of our starters and not have to use [Hughes], but these series can get a little crazy at times and you have to protect yourself.''
Gardner sitsBrett Gardner sat Friday night against lefty Jon Lester, against whom he was 1-for-6. Andruw Jones (4-for-15) was in leftfield and Jorge Posada (6-for-23) was the DH.
"It was something we talked about, giving him a day at some point during this stretch,'' Girardi said of Gardner. "He played both games of the doubleheader [July 30] in the field and has been running all over the place.''
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 15: LI's top basketball players On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay take a look top boys and girls basketball players on Long Island.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 15: LI's top basketball players On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay take a look top boys and girls basketball players on Long Island.
