Rookie Hughes Throws Off Half-Mound

TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees rookie Phil Hughes threw 25 pitches yesterday during his first session on a half-mound since straining his left hamstring three weeks ago.

The 20-year-old, considered one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, also jogged on the outfield warning track and took part in agility drills at the Yankees' minor league complex. Hughes was injured on May 1 in the midst of a no-hit bid against the Texas Rangers in his second major league start.

Left-hander Kei Igawa threw 56 pitches in a bullpen session, two days after he allowed two unearned runs over four innings during his first start for Class A Tampa. He was sent to the minors on May 7 to work on pitching mechanics and could pitch in another minor league game later this week.

Igawa, who signed a five-year, $20 million deal with New York in December, is 2-1 with a 7.63 ERA for the Yankees.