Will pitching injuries force Yankees to make a trade?

First A.J. Burnett. Now Andy Pettitte.

After making a diving play in the field yesterday, New York Yankees' pitcher Andy Pettitte strained his left groin. The injury, which was unnoticeable until the third inning, was classified as a Grade 1 strain, requiring Pettitte to be taken out of the game and placed on the disabled list. He will miss four-to-five weeks.

The injury comes just a day after Pettitte's teammate, pitcher A.J. Burnett, suffered an injury of his own after slamming his hand on the clubhouse door in frustration. The slam created lacerations on Burnett's pitching hand and required him to leave his start early. The lacerations may cause Burnett to miss his next start.

Yankees' General Manager Brian Cashman said yesterday that pitcher Sergio Mitre, who is scheduled to come off of the DL tomorrow, will take Pettitte's place in the rotation until he can return.

Many analysts believe that the injuries may force the Yankees to have to make a trade for a starting pitcher to plug in the void left by Pettitte, and due to the inconsistency of Burnett. One pitcher they've been linked to recently is Chicago Cubs' right-hander and former Yankee, (3-8, 4.07) Ted Lilly. Cashman, as well as ESPN's Buster Olney have said that the Yankees have no plans to trade for a starting pitcher after they lost out on Cliff Lee.

However, the injury bug is not the only issue that the Yankees have to worry about with their starting pitchers.

Phil Hughes, the Yankees' prized young pitcher, is on an innings limit for the season. The organization has said that they will let Hughes throw between 170-180 innings this season. Hughes has already thrown 101 innings this year. Once Hughes reaches his limit, a move back to the bullpen is most likely, leaving another hole in the rotation. The hole, for now, seems as though it would be filled by the aforementioned Mitre. If the Yankees decide to not make a trade, it seems as though they could go with Mitre, or other in-house candidates such as Ivan Nova, Jason Hirsh and Zach McCallister.

The loss of Hughes in the rotation due to the innings limit may be the deciding factor in if the Yankees trade for another starter. Hughes has been stellar in his first full starting season, (11-2, 3.65) making the AL All-Star team. The loss of Hughes will be a large blow to the Yankees' rotation and may force them to make a trade.

Yankees top Indians 8-2, improve to 10 games over .500, Cano hits a grand slam, Hughes goes 7 strong

Yankees - 8 (29-19), Indians - 2 (17-29)
W - Phil Hughes (6-1)
L - Fausto Carmona (4-3)
HR: (CLE) Russel Branyan (5, solo shot)
(NYY) Nick Swisher (9, 2-runs)
(NYY) Robinson Cano (10, grand slam)

The quiet offense from Minnesota awoke in today's win over the Indians. The Yankees scored early, on Nick Swisher's BOMB of a 2-run home run in the 2nd inning, taking an early 2-0 lead. But, the runs kept on coming. Phil Hughes looked dazzling through 7 innings and retired 8 Ks. Then came the big hit. With the bases loaded in the 7th, Robinson Cano hit a light tower home run for a grand slam, blowing the game open 8-2. From then, the Yankees would not look back. Sergio Mitre and Chan Ho Park finished the game with the last two innings, shutting out the Indians offense for the win.

Biggest hit: Cano's grand slam
Moments that made me happy: Swish's home run and Hughes' performance.
My player of the game: Robinson Cano

Game notes: Derek Jeter went 2-4, raising his average to .287. As well, Swisher and Cano went 2-4 and 3-4, respectively. Swish raised his average to .301, while Cano went up to .351 for 3rd in the AL in batting average. Finally, Curtis Granderson had a double, going 1-3 in tonight's game in his first game back.

Coverage starts tomorrow at 12:00 PM as the Yankees take on the Indians from the Bronx!