New York Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes is open to signing with a team as a reliever this offseason, reports Andy Martino of the New York Daily News.
Hughes has struggled in the Yankees starting rotation this season, going 4-12 with a 4.97 ERA. The 27-year-old will be a free agent this winter and is open to whatever role a team may have for him, telling Martino:
"I feel like pitching at this level is a blessing in any way. So if teams value me as a starter, that's great. If not, and that's their opinion, we'll see what happens. We will see how it shakes out."
The right-hander last pitched extensively out of the bullpen in 2009. Hughes dominated as a reliever, posting a 1.40 ERA with 65 strikeouts over 51 1/3 innings pitched. He also pitched out of the bullpen during the playoffs, helping the Yankees win the '09 World Series.
The former top prospect never quite lived up to his promise, and owns a career 4.49 ERA over 760 innings.
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