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(Photo by Tom Szczerbowski, Getty Images)

Notes on Pineda, Roster Moves and Refsynder

 (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski, Getty Images)
(Photo by Tom Szczerbowski, Getty Images)

With all the moves made yesterday a few tidbits of news went unnoticed. First off GM Brian Cashman feels optimistic about the return of Michael Pineda. It was announced earlier this week that Pineda will start his final rehab assignment this weekend, but there was some speculation about where he would go. Via Bryan Hoch, Cashman said Pineda will make his first minor league rehab start at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday. He is still slated to throw around 60 pitches, but the hopes are that he will only need three maybe four starts. β€œHe’s coming back hopefully soon on a rehab assignment to give us more choices in the rotation,” Cashman said.

The team will also have to make some more roster moves today. Esmil Rogers will be activated to the 25-man roster today, and will be available in the bullpen today for manager Joe Girardi. The logical choice would be to option Chase Whitley back to Scranton to make room in the bullpen. David Huff is also a possibility though. It depends on how they decide to use Rogers. For now he will probably be the long man, but he could also be used as starter if needed. He was starting in Triple-A for the Blue Jays, so he is definitely stretched out. Although his numbers don’t exactly jump off the page. In seven starts at Buffalo, he went 2-2 with a 3.14 ERA over 48.2 innings.

They also have to open one more spot for the newly acquired Stephen Drew. That could be a difficult choice, Zelous Wheeler or Zoilo Almonte could be optioned down, but with the influx of infielders now there is an outside shot that they designate shortstop Brendan Ryan. I don’t see why they would DFA Ryan, he can play almost every position and is big clubhouse guy, but if I had to guess it will probably be Wheeler,

Finally Cashman had to address the Rob Refsynder debate once again. He reiterated the fact that Ref will finish the season in Scranton, and continue to work at second base. β€œI’ve been pretty consistent about Refsnyder, that my intention is to have him play his year out at second base….β€œI’ve been pretty consistent and reluctant to bring him up, I’d rather him play the whole year out and prepare potentially to take a shot at the roster next year.”  Hopefully that will be the last time we hear anything more about Refsynder this year, I’m sure Cashman feels the same way.