ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — New York Yankees right-hander Phil Hughes, sidelined since April 15 because of shoulder inflammation, threw 22 pitches to batters in a side session on Saturday and was encouraged by the way it went.
Hughes said his progression was right where he wanted it. The next step is for him to throw another side session, followed by a two-inning simulated game. He eventually will go to extended spring training at the team’s Tampa facility under the supervision of Billy Connors, the Yankees’ vice president of player personnel.
Pitching coach Larry Rothschild said Hughes won’t go on a minor league rehab assignment until they can stretch him out to five innings. Rothschild declined to put any timetable on his return.
