Baseball

It was another underwhelming outing for the 26-year-old right-hander. Hughes did not issue a walk and struck out three, but he surrendered a total of 10 hits and got no support from the Yankees offense. He will carry a 3-6 record and 5.09 ERA into his next start at home against a dangerous Rangers team.

It's another big step for the rehabbing shortstop, who is working out at the Yankees' spring training complex in Tampa, Florida. Jeter has been hitting off a tee and doing light fielding drills for about a week and is currently on track to return to the Yankees' active roster shortly after the All-Star break.

The Yankees were up 3-0 when Ryu left after six before Kuroda gave up both of his runs in the seventh. Fortunately, the Yankees were able to build on from there, and the two-run home run that Preston Claiborne gave up to Hanley Ramirez in the eighth didn't cost Kuroda the win. It was his first since May 17. The Yankees had scored a total of seven runs in his previous five starts.

Ichiro has done his best work against lefties this year, but the homer off Hyun-Jin Ryu today was his first off a southpaw. He's batting .326 in 52 at-bats this month. He's also 4-for-5 stealing bases, with the one caught stealing coming on a bad call.

Martinez cleared waivers last month after being designated for assignment, but he'll now get a fresh start in another organization. The former top prospect is a career .206/.269/.362 hitter over parts of five major league seasons. He'll be assigned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

He is expected to need about 10-12 weeks of rest and rehab, which puts his season in jeopardy. It's another brutal blow to the Yankees, who have been without third baseman Alex Rodriguez (hip) all year. Youkilis was batting .219/.305/.343 with two home runs and eight RBI in 28 games as A-Rod's fill-in at the hot corner.

Almonte, 24, was batting .297/.369/.421 with six home runs, 36 RBI, and a .789 OPS through 68 games this season in Triple-A. The switch-hitter will serve as an extra outfielder and bench bat.