Girardi confirms Hughes will open season on the DL

Joe Girardi confirmed to reporters this afternoon that Phil Hughes will indeed begin the season on the DL. They are planning to have David Phelps start on April 6th — the first time they will need a fifth starter — with Hughes rejoining the rotation five days later. Hughes made a minor league start today and Girardi said everything went fine, so he’ll make two more minor league appearances before rejoining the rotation. No real surprise here, back injuries are tricky and there is no reason to rush him right now.