Pavano to start for Yankees on Saturday

TORONTO — Carl Pavano, written off by New York Yankees fans, will return and start for the team on Saturday at Baltimore. The Yankees chose the right-handed Pavano over fellow righty Phil Hughes, who is working his way back from a fractured rib. "We liked the way (Pavano) was throwing the ball and we felt that Hughes needed some more work," manager Joe Girardi said before Thursday's game against the Blue Jays. The 32-year-old Pavano signed a $39.95 million, four-year contract with the Yankees before the 2005 season but injuries to his shoulder, back, buttocks, elbow and ribs have limited him to 19 appearances for New York, and only two since June 27, 2005. He is 5-6 for the Yankees. "He's experienced," Girardi said. "He's pitched in big games before, he's pitched in the playoffs. You're not talking about a kid coming up that... [read full story]