WHAT'S NEXT FOR PETTITTE, GARCIA AND PHELPS?

So with what appears to be Andy Pettitte clearly taking David Phelps spot in the rotation after a stellar performance by Phil Hughes on Saturday, read HERE. The question now is, what happens now with David Phelps?  Easy answer, back to the bullpen.

David Phelps did a tremendous job for the Yankees, answering their call for a starter after Freddy Garcia really just couldn't get it together this season as a starter. Read HERE. Look, that's why Phelps is there, a starter himself and reliable, it was logical to put him in that roll and put Freddy Garcia in the bullpen.

David Phelps in 2 starts this season racked up 8.2 IP and had an ERA of 2.08.  I'll take that and over time if we need Phelps in a spot start, we have him and there's nothing wrong with that.   But now with Phelps moving into the bullpen again, will something eventually happen to Freddy Garcia? Look, there is no question Garcia is not the same guy he once was. They Yankees must be talking about it, be it a release situation or maybe even a trade for missing parts? Time will tell.

The Yankees made another move though in their attempt to keep gather arms and this new one is a lefty. MLB's Thomas Boorstein writes that the Yankees  "...claimed left-hander Justin Thomas, a former Red Sox reliever, whom Boston designated for assignment Thursday... Through seven appearances with the Red Sox, Thomas posted a 7.71 ERA in 4 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out two. Two of those appearances (and one of those runs) came against the Yankees..." Read it all HERE.

 All this on a weekend when Andy Pettitte came back to the Bronx in what started out as a scoreless ballgame.  Eventually Andy Pettitte got the loss, but he was back, he was bad ass and Yankee fans love him.  I wrote WHY THE YANKEES BIGGEST TEST IS PETTITTE, not because I don't believe in the guy, but it's clear that Yankeeland "feels" like this is the fix that will let the Yankees right on to October.  It's too early to say, that's the bottom line. Yes, I have faith that Andy can get back and I know he'll get stronger as the season goes, but right now, I am not going to tell you that I'm going to put all my eggs in my Pettitte basket.   I will tell you I'll be rooting hard, much like I did Saturday when Phil Hughes looked absolutely amazing.  Yes, it's true, the Yankees still have pitching questions believe it or not, but I believe as May comes and goes and we reach the hot days of summer, we're going to start to see a ryhthm, it's beginning now of course with CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova, but as time moves on, Hiroki Kuroda may join the party with consistancy, Hughes and then Andy Pettitte... just the way we like it.

Quest for #28... here we come.

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