Yankees' Masahiro Tanaka, Michael Pineda have renewed hope for return from ...
BOSTON - While CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova are done for the season, Masahiro Tanaka and Michael Pineda can still make it back to help the Yankees in their drive for the postseason. And getting back two members of the original starting rotation would be a huge lift for the Bombers.
Pineda took a major step in getting back from the injured right shoulder muscle that has had him on the disabled list since early July with a strong minor-league rehab start Sunday for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He pitched 31/3 scoreless innings and threw 58 pitches.
Monday, Tanaka can take his first small step to get back from the partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. His condition will be assessed by team medical staff in New York and he could be cleared to begin throwing again.
Pineda probably needs two more minor-league starts to build the endurance to pitch again for the Yankees. Tanaka, if all goes right from here, could be looking at an early September return.
Tanaka was 12-4 with a 2.51 ERA when elbow pain led to the examination and diagnosis of the tear. Three weeks ago, he had a platelet-rich plasma injection and Joe Girardi said in recent days he has felt better. If he is cleared to throw, Tanaka could play catch the same day.
'It's catch or no catch,' Girardi said, 'those are the two options.'
Pineda gave up three hits and a walk and struck out four in his outing Sunday.
'He felt good, which is obviously really important. . . . He threw the ball pretty well. We're pleased with the progress that he's making and we'll take another step,' Girardi said. '(He threw) free and easy. No issues. So that's real encouraging.'
Pineda is scheduled to make his second minor-league rehab start on Friday - though its unclear for which affiliate - with a goal of getting up to 75 pitches. If that goes well, the Yankees would like him to make a third start and reach 90 pitches before coming off the DL. Before the injury, Pineda was 2-2 with a 1.83 ERA.
If the Yankees slip in the standings or sustain yet another injury in what has been an avalanche of injuries to the starting rotation, Pineda could be an option sooner. In the past, the Yanks have brought pitchers off the DL before they got to the 90-pitch mark.
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