Yankees News: Brian Gordon Acquired, Could Start Thursday

As we wait for Wednesday's first pitch between the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers (7:05 p.m. ET) at Yankee Stadium, let's look at a few notable Yankee stories.

New York Yankees sign Lehigh Valley IronPigs pitcher Brian Gordon | Philadelphia Inquirer | 06/15/2011

Next stop in Brian Gordon's dream season is Yankee Stadium.

Gordon celebrated his release from the Phillies organization Tuesday night after learning he would be pitching for the New York Yankees.

Just before the triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs were about to leave the home clubhouse at Coca-Cola Park for their game against Louisville, Gordon received a phone call from Phillies assistant general manager Chuck LaMar.

"He told me he just got off the phone with my agent and the Yankees wanted to put me in the big leagues right now . . . and the Phillies, for that to happen, had to give me my release," Gordon said. "It was a crazy phone call. I don't think I've ever been happier to be released. This release had a happy ending to it."

The most storied franchise in baseball has an immediate need for Gordon because the Yankees placed Bartolo Colon on the disabled list last week with a hamstring injury. Gordon said he is scheduled to pitch in Colon's slot Thursday against the Texas Rangers, the team with which he made his only three major-league appearances as a reliever in 2008.

Gordon, 32, was understandably emotional as he left Coca-Cola Park with his wife Amanda and three children. He started his career in 1997 as an outfielder with the Arizona Diamondbacks and hit 118 minor-league home runs over 10 seasons before asking Jackie Moore, his manager with Houston's triple-A Round Rock team, if he could switch to being a pitcher in 2007.

Why is this noteworthy? Because Gordon, who has just four innings of major-league experience, is expected to get the start in place of the injured Bartolo Colon on Thursday night when the Yankees face the Rangers. Gordon was 5-0 with a 1.14 ERA this season for Class AAA Lehigh Valley.

Phil Hughes could be pitching for New York Yankees by early July if rehab starts go smoothly

The injury-riddled Yankees' pitching staff could be getting a lift at the start of next month in the form of Phil Hughes.

Hughes, out since April 15 with inflammation in his shoulder, will start on Sunday for the Class A Staten Island Yankees in a road game against the Brooklyn Cyclones, the Mets' Single-A affiliate.

The goal is for him to throw 65 pitches as he builds himself back up to rejoin the starting rotation. If the outing goes well, he would likely need 2-3 more starts as part of his rehabilitation assignment and could be pitching for the Yanks in the first week of July.

Derek Jeter's DL Stint Sets Up 3,000th Hit At Mets' Citi Field; Eduardo Nunez Has Big Night For New York In Jeter's Absence " CBS New York

There’s still a chance Jeter could get No. 3,000 at home — or at least in New York. He’s eligible to come off the DL on June 29, the middle of a three-game series in the Bronx against Milwaukee.

More likely he’ll reach the milestone on the road against the crosstown rival Mets.