More bad news for the Yankees. MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch reports that the club has shut down starter Michael Pineda after an MRI showed inflammation in his upper back. The right-hander was scheduled to throw in a live spring training game on Sunday. The Yankees can now consider themselves lucky if they are able to get Pineda back before the All-Star break.
Pineda has been on the disabled list since May 6 with a Grade 1 strain of the teres major muscle. He made four starts this season, posting a 1.83 ERA with a 15/3 K/BB ratio in 19 2/3 innings. He was ejected from his most recent start, on April 23 against the Red Sox, after he was caught with pine tar on his neck. Pineda was given a 10-game suspension for the violation.
