New York Yankees: Michael Pineda out Until May, Longshot to Make 2012 Rotation
April 6, 2012 · Michael Moraitis · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Things keep going from bad to worse for Michael Pineda and the New York Yankees as manager Joe Girardi announced the young right-hander will likely be out until May.
Bryan Hoch of MLB.com spilled the beans via twitter.
Girardi: “Safe to say” Pineda won’t pitch in majors in April
Pineda suffered soreness in his throwing shoulder following his last start of spring training and an MRI revealed Pineda has tendinitis in his right shoulder.
That sent the Yanks newest pitching acquisition to the DL to start the 2012 season.
While I doubt his injury has become more serious and his absence until May is only a precaution, this will greatly hurt Pineda‘s chances of making the Yanks’ rotation at all this season.
Granted, there is no reason to rush him back because the Bombers are set with starting pitching, but with Andy Pettitte’s return and Freddy Garcia’s continued presence on this team, the spots for Pineda to return to New York’s starting five are few and far between.
To say it would be a disappointment for Pineda to spend the entirety of 2012 in the minors is an understatement.
Many had him pegged as a certainty in the Yanks’ rotation this season and after his All-Star appearance in 2011, many also had him pegged as this team’s No. 2.
For Pineda and the Yanks, there is much work to be done in not only getting him healthy, but getting him in good shape and getting his velocity to the mid 90s like it was when he was with the Seattle Mariners.
Barring injury or unforeseen ineffectiveness, Michael Pineda could be the pride of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2012 and not of the Yankees.
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