Hughes, who starts Saturday against Tampa Bay, also has a minor league option, so he could be sent to Triple-A Scranton.

Burnett, a lightning rod for Yankees fans, hasn't won since June 29. He is 0-3 with a 6.00 ERA during that stretch and hasn't won an August start in his two-plus seasons with the Yankees. He's won just four games in his past 18 starts.

However, Cashman vehemently defended Burnett on Friday, saying the media coverage on Burnett's struggles is overblown and that the inconsistent right-hander has been solid for the Yankees this season.

"We got six guys that are capable of pitching in a rotation in a playoff race and that's a good thing, so somebody has to go and we're going to make that decision, but this stuff about (how) A.J. Burnett is worthy of being ripped from the rotation is a bunch of crap," Cashman said.

The general manager said there needs to be a deeper look at Burnett's starts by looking at run support and other factors, before coming to conclusions based on his outings.

"A.J. Burnett is not pitching anywhere close to as bad as people reflect and they got him pulled out of the rotation and I just think that's a stupid reaction," Cashman said.

Cashman added that he thinks Burnett has been treated differently because of his massive contract -- a five-year, $82.5 million deal signed before the 2009 season -- and said that if anyone should be blamed for the contract, it's himself.

"Compare (Burnett) to other people," Cashman said. "Look at his start by start. Look at his run support. If you smoke the objective pipe, I think the coverage on him would be a little smoother, more accurate."

The GM said to forgive Burnett for saying yes to a contract and if those numbers weren't what they were, the perception of Burnett in the Yankees rotation would be completely different. He did say that salary will not dictate the team's evaluation of players in reference to the upcoming removal of a starter from the rotation.

"He's not pitching like a No. 2 starter," Cashman said about Burnett. "He's pitching like a quality starting pitcher in the American League, period, that can help and if you take his money out of the equation, people would try to trade for him down the stretch drive and feel good about it, let's put it that way."

Burnett appreciated the show of support from Cashman, but acknowledged that he's not happy with his performance and understands the criticism levied his way.

"I can't control people's opinions," Burnett said Friday. "

But they want me to be better. I have a big contract. I make a lot of money, so it's only fair nature.

"The bottom line is I'm 8-9, and I'll tell you before everybody else that I'm better than that. ... I'll give (my critics) some leeway. I mean, I haven't done the job.