POSITIVE UPDATES FOR PINEDA, CAMPOS & OTHERS

Since signing Kevin Youkilis and Ichiro, news in Yankeeland has been relatively quiet. However, there is some positive injury-related news regarding pitchers Michael Pineda, Jose Campos, and Cesar Cabral, as well as top center field prospect Mason Williams, all courtesy of Chad Jennings over at LoHud (read HERE).

Let’s start off with Michael Pineda. Pineda, as you all know, has yet to throw a pitch in a meaningful game for the Yankees, as he’s recovering from a labrum surgery which he underwent back in May. We now get word that Pineda is continuing to throw from long distances off flat ground. Mark Newman, Vice President of Baseball Operations says, “We’re thinking May on these guys” (Newman also referring to Cabral. More on him in a minute). Jennings speculates that the timetable is still the same for Pineda as he’s on track to pitch in a game come June while May would be when he pitches in rehab games.

Next up is pitching prospect Jose Campos. Included in the Montero-for-Pineda swap, Campos appeared in only five games for Low-A Charleston before missing the remainder of the season with an elbow injury. Thankfully, Campos should be ready to go for Spring Training. He is currently throwing off a mound, and Newman says Campos will most likely start back to Low-A as he needs to “complete” that part of his development, though Campos did pitch very well before getting hurt.

Arguably the top prospect in the Yankees’ farm system is Mason Williams. After getting promoted to High-A Tampa last season, Williams lasted only 22 games due to a hyper-extension in his left, non-throwing shoulder. He is currently swinging a bat, and the original timetable was for Mason to be ready for Spring Training, and I’d have to think that’s still the case.

(In Photo: Mason Williams)
Last up is lefty reliever Cesar Cabral. Cabral, who was a Rule-5 pick by the Yankees last winter, suffered a fractured left-elbow last year towards the end of Spring Training before getting shutdown for the remainder of the year. Cabral is currently throwing off flat ground, though it’s not a guarantee that he’ll be ready for Spring Training.
 


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


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