NEW YORK (Reuters) - The New York Yankees settled their biggest question of the spring by naming Phil Hughes to the starting rotation on Thursday.
Hughes, 23, was competing with Joba Chamberlain, Alfredo Aceves, Sergio Mitre and Chad Gaudin for the fifth spot in the pitching rotation for the 2009 World Series champions.
Gaudin was released on Thursday.
"We evaluated the whole spring," Yankees manager Joe Girardi told reporters about the selection of Hughes before a Florida spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles.
"I'm very excited with the improvement in his change-up. To me, that made a big difference in who he is."
Hughes, who last year was dominant out of the bullpen after an early shot as a starter, struck out 10 while walking only two batters, and allowed 12 hits in 13 innings of spring work.
"What I set out to do this spring was win that job," said Hughes, who was 8-3 last season. "I felt like I did everything they asked me to do. I feel like I'm ready for the challenge."
Hughes will follow CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte and Javier Vazquez in the pitching rotation.
Chamberlain had been viewed as a leading candidate for the job as the Yankees spent last season building up his innings count so he could pitch without limitations in 2010.
But Chamberlain, 9-6 last year, floundered early this spring and Hughes overtook him.
"You go with the flow," said Chamberlain, who was brilliant as a reliever when he first came up in the 2007 season.
"We're all pulling for the same goal, to do what we did last year. The roles might be switched ... but we're pulling for each other."
Girardi said the remaining hurlers were still competing for berths in the bullpen.
(Reporting by Larry Fine, Editing by Frank Pingue and Ed Osmond; To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
