Fantasy eyes on New York

Throughout Spring Training the Yankees said Philip Hughes, considered by many to be the top pitching prospect in the game,wouldn't be the first pitcher dropped in to the rotation if they needed an arm and that they wouldn't call up their young phenom until he was ready. Because of that, it's somewhat surprising that Hughes is expected to start for New York on Thursday. But, it doesn't mean the team lied about how it would handle him.

Even though they're still in the first month of the season, the Yanks have already dipped into the minors to bring up an arm not attached to Hughes' right shoulder. With injuries to three starters, they had no other choice. Chase Wright, a guy with no experience above AA, was called up to start against the Indians last week. He got tagged by the Red Sox in his second appearance and has since been sent down. Darrell Rasner and Jeff Karstens, both with previous experience in the NY rotation, have also subbed for the players on the DL. But, with another hole needing to be filled, management has decided it's the right time for Hughes to provide a boost to the Yankees.

So, while the general population will be paying attention to the amazing display Alex Rodriguez has been putting on, the eyes of the fantasy world will be on New York because of Hughes. His debut wasn't expected this early in the season, but the Yankees have already used three back-up starters and they still needed another arm. So Hughes was brought up to be the fourth fill-in pitcher, not the first - just like the Yankees said all along. Now it will be seen if the team lied about not calling him up until he was ready.