Michael Pineda Returning Seems To Leave Question Mark
Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
The last few years haven’t been the easiest for New York Yankees’ pitcher Michael Pineda” href=”http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pinedmi01.shtml”>Michael Pineda. He has had to face numerous injuries, which led to his missing a couple of seasons. After recovering from shoulder surgery last year, and having a few minor setbacks, Pineda thought this was finally going to be his bounce back year. While pitching in a simulated game a few days later during his suspension due to the pine tar incident that took place on April 23 against the Boston Red Sox, Pineda once again found himself on the disabled list with a strained back muscle.
Pineda was only supposed to be sidelined for three to four weeks, but now his return date is unknown. The Yankees hoped he would return in mid-June, but he has not thrown since May 31st due to an MRI revealing that there is some type of inflammation. Pineda did a great job prior to his injury, as his record indicates: 2-2 with a 1.83 ERA this year. His return to the rotation would be a huge lift for the club.
While at the beginning of the season, it appeared that the Yankees were the clear winners of the deal that sent former top prospect Jesus Montero to the Seattle Mariners, the Yankees are basically back at square one with Pineda. Nagging injuries that result in multiple setbacks, and no slated return date. Montero on his side of things, has literally eaten his way off of a big league roster, having come into spring training about a quarter ton overweight. The Mariners have all but given up on Montero, and if things continue down the same path for Pineda, the Yankees might be in the same boat sooner rather than later themselves.