NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes has received an injection of painkiller to alleviate a seven-year-old back injury that recurred.
General manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday that Hughes should be able to pitch again next week during a three-game series at Tampa Bay that ends the regular season.
Hughes felt a back spasm while throwing during a bullpen session in Toronto. His next start was pushed back from Monday to Wednesday, then Hughes was scratched Wednesday and replaced by Hector Noesi for the opener of a day-night doubleheader against the Rays.
New York sent Hughes for an MRI, and doctors decided to give him an epidural injection, which is used to treat lower back pain. Cashman said the original injury stems from 2004.
