Phil Hughes in better shape at Yankees' workouts

TAMPA, Fla. -- Phil Hughes wouldn't go so far as to say he was too heavy last season.

But after an injury-plagued 2011, the righthander also wasn't going to leave anything to chance for 2012.

A noticeably more muscular and slimmer Hughes reported to the Yankees' minor-league complex early last week after what he said was an offseason devoted to fitness.

Does he think he was overweight last season? "Compared to this year, sure," Hughes said. "I feel a lot better this year. I feel like I really pushed myself this offseason, so I guess comparatively, you could say that."

Hughes, 5-5 with a 5.79 ERA last season, said the biggest difference is not so much in weight -- though word around the complex is that the 25-year-old dropped about 20 pounds -- but in "body composition."

Most of the work took place at the Athletes Performance Institute near his home in California.

"I replaced some weight with some muscle," said the 6-5 Hughes, who said he now weighs 240. "I didn't lose like 40 pounds or anything, but I feel a lot better, and hopefully it will pay off."

SEE PHOTOSYankees Opening Day starters

Hughes spent some time in the team's "fat camp" -- the phrase for players who need to shed a few pounds in spring training -- last February. Though no one has suggested that caused his rough year, Hughes believed he needed to report in better condition this time around.

"Last year was kind of a roller coaster. The shoulder stuff going on, then the lower back at the end of the year," he said. "It was a difficult year for me and I just wanted to make sure this year there's no excuses. That's kind of my goal for this year -- to be healthy and not leave anything in question. That was my mind-set going into this winter."

Regardless of the Yankees' surplus of starters (which could be reduced by one if they are successful in moving A.J. Burnett), it is a big season for Hughes.

The feeling around the organization is that he will resemble the pitcher who went 18-8 with a 4.19 ERA in 2010, not the 2011 edition. But even if Burnett is dealt, Hughes won't be guaranteed a rotation spot. It likely will come down to a battle between him and Freddy Garcia.

"It's a good problem to have from a GM and a team standpoint," Hughes said of the starter surplus. "Obviously, there's right now seven guys that want five spots, so I just have to come in and do the best I can. I have to prove that I belong here and prove that I deserve a spot . . . Even if there were five guys for five spots, I wouldn't change my mind-set at all."

The first clue to problems in spring training last year was the significant drop in Hughes' velocity. It was a mystery that never was completely solved, though Hughes went on the disabled list in mid-April with an inflamed right shoulder and did not pitch for the Yankees again until July 6.

Hughes said early results in three bullpen sessions have been promising.

"My arm feels good. I feel healthy," he said. "If all is well, it [velocity] should take care of itself. And at the end of last year, in the playoffs, it felt good, my velocity was good, so I hope that carries over."

And he hopes that will put 2011 behind him for good.

"It was a bad year," Hughes said. "Something I don't want to have happen again, that's for sure. I feel like if I can stay healthy like I did two years ago, I'll be in good shape."