Yankees look to young arms

The Yankees didn’t plan on using Tyler Clippard, Matt DeSalvo, Sean Henn, Jeff Karstens, Darrell Rasner or Chase Wright as a starter last season. Yet they used all six as starters in the first half, as injuries decimated the pitching staff and the Yankees skidded below .500 at the All-Star break before roaring back to make the playoffs.

This year is different: The Yankees do plan on using young starters, with Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy opening the season in the rotation and Joba Chamberlain expected to work his way there from the bullpen.

The Yankees tempered their trade offers for Johan Santana in order to preserve the core of young pitching, even though Son of Boss Hank Steinbrenner badly wanted Santana. If the kid pitchers falter -- and Santana thrives across town with the Mets -- General Manager Brian Cashman might be ordered to dismantle the farm for C.C. Sabathia or Matt Cain.