Mark Newman, the Yankees' senior vice president who oversees the farm system, said Hughes would not pitch beyond a predetermined number of innings. As for a promotion, Newman said he expected Hughes to stay with Trenton all season.

The Yankees want Hughes to refine his off-speed pitches, learn to handle adversity and grow into his upper body. He is 6 feet 2 inches and 230 pounds but will probably fill out to 250.

"The next steps he makes are harder than the ones he's already made," Newman said. "Does he have a chance to make them gracefully and successfully? More than any pitcher we've had since Andy Pettitte. But I'm not going to say it's a done deal."

Maybe not. But Hughes is getting there, steadily and often spectacularly.