Scranton Next Stop for Yankees SP Phil Hughes?

Injured Yankees starting pitcher Phil Hughes -- now in a rehabilitative throwing program at the team's training complex in Tampa -- may be among a handful of players who may appear within the next couple of weeks or so at Triple A Scranton-Wilkes Barre, according to a speculative report by The Sunday Voice.

"Nothing is set in stone and the Yankees have not announced a full rehab plan for Hughes and his rib injury, but it's safe to speculate that he could make a Triple A start or two on his way back to Yankee Stadium," according to the report by Voice staff writer Chad Jennings.

It was noted that Yankees manager Joe Girardi has indicated Hughes might return in August, though it is not clear how much the 22-year-old, 6-foot-5 former first-round pick may be vulnerable to a setback.

Meanwhile top pitching prospect Alan Horne -- previously the subject of numerous rumors as the July 31 trading deadline approached -- remains in Scranton for conditioning of what he described as an arm that felt "dead" after he was removed from a June 29 game at Yankee Stadium.

Some observers theorized Horne at that time was being showcased to be traded, though his mysterious injury may have dampened any such talk.

Also remaining at Scranton is former Japanese standout Kei Igawa, who likely could not be considered much more than a major league bust at this point. However, the 28-year-old lefty has an 8-3 record for the Triple A club with a respectable 3.80 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 106 innings. He would be a probable callup when rosters are expanded in September, perhaps sooner if necessary.

Yankees Trading Chip Dan McCutchen Adds Slider

Key Yankees trading chip Daniel McCutchen has added a slider to his multi-pitch repertoire, enabling him to lower his ERA to 3.32 after surrendering just three runs over his last 25 innings for Triple A Scranton-Wilkes Barre.

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound, 24-year-old righty's somewhat lopsided record now stands at 3-6 after it initially appeared as though he was overmatched when first promoted to Triple A. But his ability to find himself has marked a considerable improvement, with his most recent victory being a win over Columbus 7-3.

Most intriguing about the former 13th-round pick is his ability to consistently find the plate often without the wildness so common among hard throwers, as he can occasionally reach the high 90s with his fastball. His willingness to grove it potentially makes him vulnerable to gap balls and deep flies, but he has won praise at various stops in the infancy of his career by generally keeping runners off base.

General Manager Brian Cashman refused to deal him as part of recent, potentially costly trade packages, as McCutchen's name has been widely thought to have been been included in the failed attempt to land CC Sabathia from the Indians.

Along with prospects Alan Horne and Mark Melancon, McCutchen has also been seen as being included in talks for the acquisition of San Diego's Randy Wolf or Cincinnati's Bronson Arroyo.

Yankees Offer Top Prospect Alan Horne in Trade

The Yankees are readying to showcase top prospect Alan Horne -- currently pitching for Triple A Scranton-Wilkes Barre -- in an attempt to acquire starters Eric Bedard of the Mariners or Ben Sheets of the Brewers, a mid-ranking, confidential clubhouse source told www.MLBnewsonline.com.

Barring setbacks in his performance, Horne likely will be promoted to New York before the end of the month, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Horne, 25, having fully recovered from Tommy John surgery, has been throwing a lively fastball that occasionally tops out at 97-mph, complementing it with a bonafide, major league curveball and a newly improved changeup.

If unsuccessful in a deal for Bedard or Sheets, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman will fall back on a lateral negotiation to acquire lefty Randy Wolf from the Padres, according to the source. Cashman is trying to accomplish either deal without fanfare, the source said.

In addition to Horne, an unnamed pitcher and middle infielder at Short A Staten Island are also among the components of the transaction, said the source.