Predictions for Michael Pineda’s Second-Half Yankees Stats, Impact
July 5, 2013 · Kenny DeJohn · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
The New York Yankees can use all the help they can get in their pursuit of a postseason berth, and Michael Pineda could be exactly what they need to give their pitching staff an extra boost.
Pineda is slowly working his way back to the big leagues, and the Yankees will not rush his return. When he’s ready, he’ll be in the major league rotation.
He’s most certainly not ready just yet. His previous rehab start on July 1 for Double-A Trenton went poorly, as he threw just 32 of his 67 pitches for strikes. He walked four as a result but also struck out four. With command being an issue, Pineda lasted just three innings.
Consistency will be the key to Pineda’s return. If he can string together a few nice starts, the Yankees will likely bring him up to make his team debut. He’ll have to prove he can pitch deep into ball games as well.
The Yankees’ weakness may be their lineup, but strengthening the pitching staff would be a smart move for the stretch run. Pineda hasn’t pitched in the bigs in awhile, but he’ll provide a fresh arm to a rotation that has tossed a lot of innings.
Pineda is a question mark because he hasn’t pitched in so long, but the big right-hander has the potential to put up really solid numbers in half a season’s work.
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