New York @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 1, 2011 ) NY Yankees 3, Chi. White Sox 2

THE STORY: Phil Hughes could be pitching to remain in the starting rotation when the New York Yankees visit the Chicago White Sox in the second of a four-game series Tuesday night. Hughes seemed firmly entrenched as the No. 2 or No. 3 starter following an 18-8 campaign in 2010, but he struggled out of the gate and was shut down for nearly three months with inflammation in his right shoulder. He will be opposed by John Danks, who spent nearly a month on the disabled list but has turned his year around after losing his first eight decisions.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, YES (New York), WCIU (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Phil Hughes (1-3, 8.24 ERA) vs. White Sox LH John Danks (4-8, 3.79).

Hughes has allowed two runs in three of his four starts since coming off the disabled list, but only one outing has been impressive. In his last two starts, he has allowed nine runs on 18 hits in 10 1/3 innings. New York is going with a six-man rotation this week, so another mediocre outing could land Hughes in the bullpen or the minors. Hughes is 1-1 with a 1.00 ERA in seven appearances (three starts) versus Chicago. Danks had won three straight starts while allowing a total of five runs before he suffered a strained right oblique on June 25. The lefthander has continued his stellar pitching since returning, allowing one run in two starts. He struck out 10 in six innings in a 2-1 win over Detroit on Wednesday. He's had trouble against the Yankees with a 2-2 record, 7.36 ERA and seven homers allowed in five starts.

ABOUT THE WHITE SOX (52-55): Missed chances doomed Chicago in its 3-2 loss Monday. The White Sox had 10 hits against CC Sabathia, the first time the Yankees’ ace has allowed double-digit hits in 17 games. However, the White Sox hit into inning-ending double plays in the second, third and fifth innings. Paul Konerko, who leads the team in homers, RBIs and batting average, sat out with a knee/calf injury after he was hit by a pitch Sunday against Boston. He reported little improvement Monday and could miss Tuesday’s game as well. Alexei Ramirez homered and doubled, and is 5-for-13 in his last three games.

ABOUT THE YANKEES (65-42): New York pulled within a game of division-leading Boston in the American League East. After parlaying four hits into two runs in the first inning, the Yankees didn’t do much offensively the rest of the game. Curtis Granderson had two doubles and Mark Teixeira had a pair of hits to raise his batting average to .251, its highest point since June 20. He is 7-for-12 in his last three games. Derek Jeter sat out Monday’s game with a bruised middle finger, but expects to return to the lineup Tuesday. He is tied with Rafael Palmeiro for 24th on the career hit list with 3,020.

FINAL PITCH: Alex Rodriguez, who has been sidelined since undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus on July 11, will start working out at New York’s minor league complex in Tampa on Thursday. "The fact he's going to start doing baseball activities on Thursday is a great sign," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.