The Yankees recalled right-hander Ian Kennedy from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make Thursday's start against the Rays at Tropicana Field, optioning left-hander Kei Igawa to Triple-A.
The 29-year-old Igawa started on Friday at Detroit, his first start of the season in the Majors, and was ripped for six earned runs in three-plus innings.
The returns have been minimal on Igawa, in whom the Yankees invested $46 million last year -- $26 million in a bid to obtain his rights from the Hanshin Tigers of Japan's Central League, and then a five-year, $20 million contract on top of that. Igawa is 2-4 with a 6.75 ERA in 15 big league games (13 starts), allowing 87 hits and 53 earned runs in 70 2/3 innings.
The Yankees said that Igawa will start on Friday for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre at Indianapolis and will continue to work toward becoming a serviceable big league hurler.
"We still picture him as a starter," Joe Girardi said. "We don't want him to pitch every once in a while. We need him to pitch and continue to improve."
Well, there goes our free money for now but I have a feeling we'll see our old friend Igawa again before the season is over. At least according to Girardi, who is delusional enough to think this gas can is still going to be a starter in the Majors. Talk about denial. That's fine by me. Girardi's denial means more money for us in the future.