Yankees Name Hughes Fifth Starting Pitcher

By Justin Worsley

The New York Yankees have announced that Phil Hughes will be the final starter in the Yankees five-man pitching rotation. Hughes won the job over Joba Chamberlain, Sergio Mitre, Alfredo Aceves and Chad Gaudin.

Hughes, 23, started seven games last season before the Yankees moved him to the bullpen after Chien-Ming Wang was placed on the disabled list.

Chamberlain was a starting pitcher last season for the Yankees, but was moved to a relief role when the Yankees switched to a three-man rotation in the post-season. Manager Joe Girardi said that Chamberlain will be given the opportunity to work as a reliever again, setting up Mariano Rivera to close the game.

Gaudin was released Thursday following the announcement.

Hughes, a right-handed thrower, had an 8-3 record last season with a 3.03 ERA and a career-high 96 strikeouts.