Just when Michael Pineda will finally pitch in a regular season game with the Yankees remains uncertain, but he’s ready to take the next step in his rehab from right shoulder surgery.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told Erik Boland of New York Newsday that Pineda threw his final flat-ground session today and will throw from a half-mound tomorrow for the first time. He hasn’t had any setbacks since the surgery and the hope is that he’ll be ready to return at some point in June.
Pineda, who turned 24 earlier this month, posted a 3.74 ERA and 173/55 K/BB ratio over 171 innings as a rookie with the Mariners in 2011. The Yankees acquired him along with prospect right-hander Jose Campos last offseason in the deal that sent catcher/designated hitter Jesus Montero and right-hander Hector Noesi to Seattle.
