New York Yankees: Michael Pineda likely headed for Tommy John surgery
Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda has a partially torn UCL and will likely undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his season and possibly his tenure in the Bronx.
In a blindsiding piece of news, the New York Yankees have announced that starting pitcher Michael Pineda has a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow and has been recommended Tommy John surgery. He will seek a second opinion, but at this point surgery seems the most probable outcome.
The report came from Jack Curry of the YES Network, who spoke to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.
While Pineda had been regressing after a strong start to the season, there had been little indication there was anything physically wrong with him. Curry says the 28-year-old right-hander first reported discomfort in his elbow a “couple days” after his last outing on July 5.
The injury puts the Yankees rotation down a man once again after only recently getting CC Sabathia back from a DL stint. Luis Cessa took the veteran lefty’s spot in the order while he was out, and Curry reports he’ll be recalled for the Yanks’ series with the Twins next week. Meanwhile, Bryan Mitchell will start one of the games during Sunday’s doubleheader against the Red Sox.
The name on most Yankees fans’ minds is probably Chance Adams. The 22-year-old righty has advanced quickly through the club’s minor league system over the past three years. He currently boasts a 2.50 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 11 starts at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Cashman says Adams could be an option, but it seems like the Yanks will give Cessa and/or Mitchell the first crack at holding down the rotation spot before looking to put Adams on the 40-man roster. However, with Pineda likely done for the remainder of the year, the team might be more willing to bring up Adams since he’ll be around to stay for a while.
Chad Green also has experience starting, but he’s thrived out of the bullpen this year and the Yankees probably don’t want to unsettle what has suddenly turned into an unpredictable relief corps.
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This news is particularly devastating to Pineda from a professional standpoint, as he was set to enter free agency at the end of the season. While his inconsistent track record would have likely prevented him from landing a big contract, he could have still done rather well for himself had he finished the year on a solid note. With Pineda, the talent has always been undeniable. Getting it out of him every five days has been the problem.
The 2017 campaign had been a microcosm of that. Pineda posted a 3.32 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 5.50 K/BB ratio through his first 10 starts. In his last seven, he’s managed only a 6.14 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 2.89 K/BB. The man can rack up 16 strikeouts in an afternoon and then get lit up just a few days later.
Pineda would likely miss at least half of next season as well if he indeed undergoes surgery, which further complicates his free agency case. He could very well have to settle for a modest, one-year deal to prove his health and reestablish some value. It’s hard to imagine the Yankees being the ones to take that gamble and extend what’s already been a frustrating five-year experiment.
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Like Pineda himself, New York has struggled since an encouraging start. A depleted rotation certainly won’t help them get back on track. The Yanks have been linked to several starting pitchers in trade rumors, but Cashman, per Curry, stated the team will be “careful buyers” at the deadline and not rush into any desperation move.