Still Hurting for Pitching, Yankees Pursuing Justin Duchscherer

Filed under: Athletics, Yankees, MLB Rumors, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Free Agency

Still in need of pitching help as spring training nears, the Yankees are trying a route usually favored by their less-moneyed brethren, pursuing oft-injured right-hander Justin Duchscherer in hopes that he'll be able to bounce back.

The Yankees are "stepping up" their pursuit of Duchscherer, ESPN.com reports. A two-time All-Star -- in 2005 as a reliever and 2008 as a starter -- Duchscherer could help the Yankees in the rotation or the bullpen if he can stay healthy, but finding a starter would seem to be the higher priority for Brian Cashman.

With no indications that Andy Pettitte is planning to return in 2011, the Yankees' rotation consists of CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Phil Hughes up top, with Ivan Nova and TBD at the bottom. The main question with Duchscherer is whether he can be relied upon for the long haul.

The 33-year-old last year overcame depression that along with an elbow injury cost him the entire 2009 campaign, but managed only five starts for the A's before suffering a season-ending hip injury. He has been effective when able to take the mound, going 2-1 with a 2.89 ERA in those starts for Oakland last year, but he hasn't lasted an entire season without a DL trip since 2005. And even that year he went two weeks without an appearance in May because of back problems.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/11/still-hurting-for-pitching-yankees-pursuing-justin-duchscherer/

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