Michael Pineda has struggled for the vast majority of this season for the New York Yankees. Now, these struggles may cost him his spot in the rotation.
Yesterday, in what has been a difficult season for Michael Pineda, the New York Yankees starter had his worst performance of the season. In 3.2 innings, Pineda allowed six runs on nine hits, just the latest horrific outing in a season that has seen him post a 2-6 record with a 6.92 ERA and a 1.650 WHiP. Aside from his 59 strikeouts, Pineda just has not been getting the job done on the mound.
While the Yankees have been patient with Pineda in attempting to have him work through these issues, that patience may be coming to an end. After this most recent implosion, Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild admitted that there is the possibility that he could be taken out of the rotation.
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In a way, it makes sense. Pineda has struggled, and with the way Ivan Nova has pitched since being placed back in the starting rotation, there normally would not be a place for him. However, Luis Severino, who is currently on the disabled list, has been truly abysmal this season. The minors do not seem to have an answer at the upper levels. So, unless the Yankees are looking to acquire another pitcher, there just does not seem to be an answer currently on the roster.
Given the current roster construction of the Yankees, something that Joe Girardi has been critical of, they may not have a choice but to let Pineda attempt to figure out his issues while starting. Pineda, Girardi and Rothschild are all in agreement that he is not injured, leading them to feel that his struggles may be mechanical in nature.
With the Yankees hovering around .500, they need Pineda to find that form from his 13 outings in the 2014 season. Right now, given his struggles, he is as far away from those starts as possible, leaving the ball up to the point where he is giving up almost two home runs per nine innings.
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The New York Yankees need Michael Pineda to get back to the form he displayed in 2014. Otherwise, they may need to find another option for the rotation.