Yankees Release Chad Gaudin, Name Phil Hughes as Fifth Starter
The New York Yankees have released right-hander Chad Gaudin and named Phil Hughes as fifth starter.
The Yankees will owe 27-year-old Gaudin 25 percent of his $2.95 million salary for this season. Now he can sign up with any team ending the New York Yankees Gaudin contract. Though Gaudin said he was not shocked at the decision, yet he was disappointed. He said, "To be honest with you, I'm not surprised with anything anymore. This is going to be my seventh team, hopefully. I got released last year in the spring [by the Cubs] and look where I ended up. I'm sure I'll land with some other team and help some ballclub win. That's all you can do.
I'm disappointed. I enjoyed every minute with these guys. Unfortunately, our roads are going different ways. I wish I could have stayed longer."
The Yankees had acquired Gaudin from the Padres on 7 August 2009. He’s played in four games this spring with an ERA of 8.68 in 9.1 innings.
Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said, "I was happy we got Chad last year. He helped us win a World Series. He helped us stabilize and he was a nice addition for us. I was glad he joined us last year and he was a part of something special. He'll be a part of that forever, but as we move forward, we've got to make tough decisions on what 2010 is going to be like and who's going to play a role. Today I let him know, and he'll obviously find his way with someone else."
In the meantime, the Yankees named Phil Hughes as the fifth starter. Hughes pitched on Monday, allowing four runs but struck out six in 4 1/3 innings against Philadelphia.
Before his selection for the coveted final spot, Hughes was reported as saying, "It's the only time that I can start a game. Plus, I don't think I really threw that many pitches last time."
Hughes beat Joba Chamberlain, along with outside contenders Alfredo Aceves and Sergio Mitre, to claim the coveted final spot.
