Phil Hughes Skipping Next Start...Is This Fair?

Phil Hughes has finally come into his own and established himself as one of the most dominant pitchers in the American League. The right handed flame thrower struggled in 2007 and 2008, most likely because he was brought up from the minor leagues too early, but last year as the Yankees set-up man he blossomed. Now, he is poised to make his first All-Star team and could feasibly be a 20 game winner in his first full season as a starter. Currently, he is 10-1 with a 3.17 ERA, and has arguably been New York's best pitcher thus far. Why, then, is manager Joe Girardi benching Hughes from his next scheduled start against the Dodgers this coming Thursday? In a word: innings.

Girardi fully understands how important the right arm of his young star is, and yearns to protect him for the balance of the season. Because Hughes has been dominant in many of his starts, he has pitched late into games and racked up many innings in the process (he is averaging about 6.5 innings a start). While Girardi is looking out for the best interest for Hughes and his ball club, is benching him this Thursday fair? Is it right? If the game was in Kansas City, Seattle, Tampa Bay, pretty much anywhere other than Los Angeles, Girardi may not be scrutinized for making this call. But, the game is in Los Angeles.

Why does location matter? Hughes is from Mission Viejo, CA which is just about an hour's drive outside of Los Angeles. Friends and family were planning on traveling out to Dodger Stadium to see Hughes pitch, something they rarely can do since he pitches the majority of his games across the country. Now, this trip will most likely not occur. Why drive out to the game if Hughes won't be on the hill?

Is Joe Girardi making the right call here? I think not. The 24-year old is having a stellar season, an All-Star caliber season, and he is benching him in front of his family and friends. If Girardi is so worried about his arm and stamina, then keep Hughes on a pitch count. Don't let him throw more than 5 innings, or keep him on a tight pitch count. Joe is failing to see the bigger picture here.

I only hope that Phil Hughes' family makes the trek to Anaheim for the All-Star game this year where Phil will undoubtedly be. Maybe they can see him pitch there. But, oh wait, Girardi is the coach of the American League All-Star team this year, hopefully he will allow Hughes to pitch an inning at the midsummer night's classic.

Fearless Prediction: AJ Burnett makes his next start with Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and not with the big club.