Yankees’ Pitcher Michael Pineda May Not Return Until June
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Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — The New York Yankees are eagerly awaiting to see starting pitcher Michael Pineda in pinstripes, but it is still unknown whether that can happen.
Last offseason, the Yankees traded catcher/designated hitter Jesus Montero to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Pineda. Montero was a prized hitting prospect and Pineda was a prized pitching prospect. Pineda wound up missing the entire 2012 season due to a torn labrum.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman spoke to reporters about the status of Pineda for the 2013 season:
“We have to keep him off the radar for now,” he said. “We’re talking June of next year…the second half of next year.”
A surgically repaired labrum is a hard injury for a pitcher to return from, and its not guaranteed that Pineda will be able to significantly contribute in 2013.
In 2011, Pineda went 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA. He showed incredible promise and potential in his rookie season, which led to the trade to New York. Meanwhile, Montero hit .260 with 15 home runs and 62 RBIs in his rookie season for Seattle.
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