Taiwan's Wang back in starting rotation for Yankees

Taiwan pitcher Chien-Ming Wang was returned to the New York Yankees' starting rotation and will open on the mound Thursday against the Texas Rangers, the Major League Baseball club announced Wednesday.

Wang has made such impressive relief showings since being added to the bullpen of relief hurlers on May 22 that the Yankees decided to move him into the lineup and drop Phil Hughes into the group of relievers.

Wang missed the final 3 1/2 months of last season with a foot injury and began the 2009 campaign 0-3 with a horrific 34.50 earned-run average in three starts before being placed on the injured list with a hip muscle problem.

After being reactivated, Wang allowed two runs and nine hits over eight innings in three relief efforts.

Wang had been a regular starter for the Yankees, winning 19 games in both the 2006 and 2007 seasons.