The big fish in the Yankees offseason trade with the Mariners will have to wait until at least 2013 to provide a return.
Michael Pineda, 23, was informed he has a tear in his throwing shoulder that will require arthroscopic surgery that will sideline him the rest of this season.
Although the Yankees, who currently are tied with Baltimore, Toronto, and Tampa Bay for the American League East lead, are playing well this is bad news for a rotation that was already wearing thin. They will now rely on Phil Hughes, currently struggling himself, and hope that Andy Pettitte can progress quick enough in extended Spring Training to fill the rotation void left by Pineda.
Last season with the Mariners Pineda, who was a major piece in the deal that sent Jesus Montero to the Mariners, went 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA and was a member of the American League All-Star team. Pineda, since the start of Spring Training, never showed the 95+ MPH velocity he displayed while shining for the Mariners a season ago.
