The New York Yankees shut Michael Pineda down today after the young right-hander suffered a setback during his start in an extended spring training game. This will almost certainly end Pineda’s chances of making the rotation in 2012.
According to Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger, Pineda experienced weakness in his throwing shoulder after his latest start. GM Brian Cashman is concerned because Pineda, “still isn’t healthy.”
Pineda went on the 15-day DL to start the season and has been in Tampa ever since. He was slated to return to the team around early June, but now, that date will undoubtedly be pushed back.
The Bombers will take their time with Pineda, as they have a lot invested in him (Jesus Montero) and there is simply no rush to bring him back.
New York is infamous for being overly-cautious with their young starters as is the rest of the MLB nowadays and Pineda’s case will be no different. And although their starters haven’t been pitching well this season, the Yanks still have enough depth to make up for injury moving forward.
After being given a two-month timetable after his first injury to start the season, Pineda will be out until well after that, and that could be best-case scenario. In fact, he may not even see the majors this season.
Let’s just hope, for the Yankees’ sake, that this isn’t the early signs of something more serious, like surgery. Pure speculation, of course, but it is something to watch moving forward.
This is the worst possible start for Pineda in pinstripes.
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