By GEORGE KING
Just because Chien-Ming Wang, Andy Pettitte and Jeff Karstens are hurt doesn’t mean GM Brian Cashman should rush the development of Phil Hughes and Ross Ohlendorf.
Saturday when Chien-Ming Wang went down for at least a month due to a pulled right hamstring Brian Cashman said the replacement would come from within camp. That meant stud prospect Phil Hughes wouldnât be rushed from Triple-A, where he has never pitched. It also meant that the GM wasnât going to put in a SOS call to Roger Clemens and tell him to start working out so he can sign a multi-million contact with the Yankees.
A day later Jeff Karstens came out of a game against the Tigers in Lakeland with a stiff right elbow. He joins Andy Pettitte and Wang with hurts.
Even if Karstens problems is a serious one Cashman shouldnât budge on his decision to leave the 20-year-old Hughes at Triple-A. Nor should he summon prospect Ross Ohlendorf from Triple-A, where he has one start.
The last thing the right-handers need is to have their confidence destroyed because they are pitching in the big leagues before they are ready. Cashmanâs greatest accomplishment as the GM has been rebuilding the arms in the minor leagues. He shouldnât allow a step or two to be taken backward because his staff is beat up.
Darrell Rasner can fill in if Pettitte has to miss his first start. Mike Mussina, Carl Pavano and Kei Igawa are healthy. To rush the youngsters would be a mistake.
