WHY THE PINEDA INJURY IS A BIGGER STORY THAN SPRING WIN

Just in case you’ve forgotten, the Yankees defeated the Phillies 13-9 at The Boss on Friday evening, but that clearly wasn’t the main story following the game. The big story was Michael Pineda’s “sore” shoulder, and what it means in the immediate future to him and the Yankees.

Before we get to Pineda let’s recap the slug fest quickly. The Yanks and Phillies combined for 31 hits and 22 runs. Derek Jeter had two of those hits, as well as Russell Martin, Eric Chavez, and Dewayne Wise. Wise, who has no shot of making the team, hit two homers last night while driving in three runs. Curtis Granderson also provided a dinger, as he took Jonathan Papelbon yard in the fourth. It’s always nice to see a Yankee hit a homer off Papelbon, spring training or not. Justin Maxwell also kept his hot spring up as he went 1-for-2 with 3 RBI. Be sure to read WHAT TO DO WITH JUSTIN MAXWELL and his situation.

Now, onto the bigger story; Michael Pineda. Before Friday’s game Joe Girardi said Pineda’s start was an important one and it seemed as though the rotation competition was down to Freddy Garcia and Michael Pineda and if Pineda pitched poorly he’d end up in the minors. Unfortunately, Pineda struggled pretty mightily as he failed to get out of the third inning while allowing six runs. Maybe that was the final blow for Pineda’s chances to make the rotation. However, during the game it was reported that Pineda had soreness in the back part of his right shoulder (Read HERE) and he didn’t tell Cashman he was sore until after the game. Was it sore before the game? Has it been sore all spring? For now, no one knows, maybe we’ll learn more as time moves along.
BYB favorite Jack Curry also reported that Girardi told him that “it’s very possible” that Pineda’s injury decided the fate of the rest of the Yankees rotation (Read HERE). Girardi also said “I’m concerned, we will know more tomorrow (Saturday) obviously” (Read HERE).

Pineda wasn’t the only player that got injured. Lefty Cesar Cabral, who was fighting for the second lefty job out of the ‘pen with Clay Rapada, has pain in his left elbow and he will go for an MRI. He was also spotted wearing a sling (Read HERE). Obviously, this does not sound good, so it may be safe to say that Clay Rapada will end up making the team, though that’s certainly not a bad thing.

Yanks play the Astros today at 1 EST, but the game’s not televised. When we get word on the Pineda and Cabral injuries we’ll keep you covered here at BYB. Stay tuned.




--Jesse Schindler, BYB Lead Staff Writer
Follow me on Twitter @SchindlerJesse



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