Whether or not he's telling true, Joe Girardi said the starting rotation question may not be answered until the 4th, 5th or even 6th spring start for the pitchers competing for the numbers four and five spots. He does have a little wiggle room in that even after the season starts there will be a competition still brewing. Most likely outside of CC and Kuroda, the other spots in the rotation are subject to change when Andy Pettitte most likely returns around the beginning of May.

And while my first piece on BBD http://bronxbaseballdaily.com/ will focus on the status of the Yankee bullpen on Sunday, parts of the pen are likely affected by when/where Pettitte returns. Phil Hughes looked really good though five innings against the Rays yesterday. He made one fat pitch in the first that was sent almost through the batter's eye in centerfield for a 2-run shot, but that's all he gave up. Hughes has probably pitched the best so far of the starters and he does have both minor league options (rather unlikely) and bullpen capabilities (not outside the realm of the possible) but right now I would suspect he is earning himself a place in the rotation -- and it will be his spot to lose when Pettitte enters the ring.

Freddy Garcia, while pitching better than his normal slow start, may wind up the long-man and spot-starter. While this is not what he imagined he signed on for this winter, the situation has changed a few times since then. Garcia seemingly will not be happy with this decision and time will tell if that affects his pitching.

Ivan Nova and Michael Pineda are in a different boat from Garcia as they do both have minor league options. But if precedence is any sort of indicator, the Yankee brain-trust was willing to send Nova to AAA despite being big show ready and capable. I don't see the Yanks sending Pineda to AAA (although I wouldn't count that out when Pettitte returns) after sending their #1 prospect (Jesus Montero) to the Mariners for him.

Right now, we are two weeks away from Opening Day, but if the Yanks were heading north today, I would think this is how it would break down:

Rotation: CC, Kuroda, Hughes, Garcia & Pineda with the last 3 guys being on the "bubble" when Pettitte is added. If Hughes or Garcia lose their spot to Andy, they'd go to the bullpen; (although the Yanks may listen to trade offers for Garcia especially) if Pineda loses his spot, then AAA. And that would be where Nova would start the season as well despite proving last year that he is major league ready.

An abundance of riches is what it is, but injury and ineffectiveness are parts of the game.

Cheers,
Brian