The Yankees have moved RHP Freddy Garcia to the bullpen. The announcement was made yesterday, one day after he gave up six runs in 1.2 innings pitched against Detroit and saw his ERA climb to 12.51. Garcia went 12-8 with a 3.62 ERA last season for New York and he was re-signed in the off-season to a one-year, $4 million contract, although he's been the worst pitcher in a bad rotation so far this season.
In addition, RHP Michael Pineda is gone for the season and RHP Phil Hughes is pitching true to form (in other words, badly). The obvious choice to replace Garcia in the rotation is rookie RHP David Phelps, a top prospect who made the team out of Spring Training as a long reliever. Garcia's turn in the rotation won't come around until Thursday, so an announcement is not imminent and if the team is forced to use Phelps out of the bullpen between now and then he likely won't be able to make a start, and with plenty of off days in their schedule the Yankees could presumably skip the fifth starter's spot the next time it comes around and call up LHP Andy Pettitte when Garcia's spot comes up a second time. Pettitte pitched for Tampa today and could need one or two more starts before he is ready to return to the Majors.
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