Yankees' Hughes to begin season on DL
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New York Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes will start the regular season on the disabled list, manager Joe Girardi confirmed on Wednesday.
Hughes has been working his way back from a bulging disk in his upper back, an injury which sidelined him early in camp. He pitched three innings last week against the Pirates' Class A affiliate, but has not made a single appearance during Grapefruit League play.
He is eligible to return on April 6, but Girardi said its more likely he will aim for an April 11 debut.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}With Hughes out, Ivan Nova and David Phelps are expected to fill out the Yankees' starting rotation, which also features CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda and Andy Pettitte.