In his first rehab start since being placed on the disabled list back in early May, Michael Pineda looked pretty good this afternoon. Pineda gave up just three hits over 3.1 innings of work today for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at PNC Field. Pineda came out for the fourth inning gave up a lead off double, retired the next batter and was then pulled after 58 pitches. His final line was encouraging 3.1in 3H (2 doubles) 4K 0R. His velocity looked good also, topping out at 94 MPH on some pitches. Afterwards he spoke to the Times Tribune’s Shane Hennigan and said “I feel my shoulder is really strong. I feel good. I’m ready to go.” He is heading back to New York to continue get more work in, but doesn’t know where or when his next start will be. The real big positives to take away, Pineda is finally 100% healthy and Girardi has said they won’t be babying him this time. There’s a solid chance he could be back in the rotation in two weeks. He will probably make two more rehab starts and after he gets close to 85-90 pitches the Yankees will slot him back in.
