Phil Hughes' expectations for the 2017 season have steadily declined, from "mainstay of the rotation" during the spring, to "rest up and come back strong" in mid-May, to "just want to help any way I can" when he volunteered for the bullpen a few weeks ago.
But even that make-the-best-of-it scenario collapsed Tuesday.
Hughes' season came to an abrupt end when he and the Twins decided that, since the symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome keep recurring, it makes more sense to address his condition now in hopes he'll be completely healed by next spring. Hughes was placed on the 60-day disabled list to allow him to consult more doctors and explore more cures.
"I just wanted to help in any capacity I could. But it got to the point where it would be selfish of me to keep this going," Hughes said. "I'm not really helping anybody."
He tried, talking the Twins into activating him three weeks ago after almost a month of rest, and putting him in the bullpen. In five appearances since returning, however, Hughes has allowed five runs and 12 hits in 6⅔ innings, a 6.75 ERA that ultimately convinced both Hughes and the Twins to look for a fix, not a stopgap. That probably means more surgery — he had a rib removed near his shoulder last summer in hopes of restoring blood flow — though Hughes hopes to avoid it.
"That part we're unsure about. I've had the recommendation from one doctor, that's one avenue, but I'm going to see some other people and find out what the best path will be," he said. "If surgery was [the route selected], it would involve taking out the remainder of the rib and some scar tissue."
His pinkie and ring finger go numb while pitching, Hughes said, his hand swells up and his arm quickly fatigues — all symptoms he hoped would disappear after last summer's surgery.
"It's kind of scary when you start to lose feeling in your hand," Hughes said. "It's not really ideal for pitching, especially at this level."
