Jun 13, 2008 7:30 AM EST

Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes underwent X-rays on his injured right rib on Thursday and has been cleared to begin a throwing program in roughly two weeks, according to The Associated Press.

Hughes has been sidelined with a fractured rib since late April. Manager Joe Girardi claims that he will need six weeks of throwing before he returns to the mound for New York.

He was 0-4 with a 9.00 ERA in six outings before the injury.

Via ESPN