Phil Hughes, the New York Yankees' starter in Game 3 of the ALCS, was forced to leave Tuesday night's game against the Detroit Tigers with a stiff back. The Yankees are currently down, 2-0.
Hughes has struggled with back issues in the past, and they've returned once again, according to the team's Twitter account. Hughes suffered from a herniated disc that kept him out of action for extended periods of time in the past few seasons.
Hughes kept the Tigers off of the scoreboard in the first three innings of Tuesday's game, but started the fourth inning by surrendering a home run to Delmon Young and a walk to Andy Dirks. With a run in and a runner on, Hughes showed some discomfort and Yankees manager Joe Girardi was forced to lift him from the game.
Hughes was replaced by David Phelps, who kept the Tigers from adding to their 1-0 lead in the fourth, but did surrender another run to the Tigers in the fifth inning.