DETROIT (AP) – Minnesota Twins right-hander Phil Hughes turned down a chance to pitch again this weekend, even though one more out would have earned him a $500,000 bonus.
Hughes’ half-million-dollar bonus kicks in if he reaches 210 innings this year, but he is set to finish with 209 2-3 after a rain delay forced him out of his final scheduled start Wednesday.
Manager Ron Gardenhire said Thursday the Twins were prepared to let Hughes pitch again before the end of the season.
“I just didn’t think it was right,” Hughes said before the game against Detroit. “If I were fighting for a playoff spot, I’d 100 percent be available. But given the circumstances, I don’t think it’s the right thing to do.”
Hughes is 16-10 with a 3.52 ERA in his first season with Minnesota, which signed him to a three-year deal in the offseason. He spent seven seasons with the New York Yankees before that.