Joe Girardi talks about Michael Pineda:
Asked whether the Yankees will be able to get 200 innings out of Pineda, Girardi said flatly, “No you will not.” He wouldn’t go into detail, but Girardi made it clear that Pineda will be limited this season. He hasn’t pitched a full season since 2011, and even then he pitched just 171 innings.
So, basically, the Yankees want to do what’s best for the team as a whole, and they have to take into consideration the fact that one of their rotation candidates won’t be cleared for a normal 30-start season. Girardi said that limitation won’t rule out Pineda from the competition, it’s just that it might throw a wrinkle into the plan at some point.
“Hypothetically, let’s just say he was a starter at some point, you’d have to adjust because you’re not going to get 200 innings out of him,” Girardi said. “I don’t know (how that would work). I know they’ve talked about it. I’m sure if it becomes a factor and he’s part of our club, we’re going to have to see how it works.”
(Chad Jennings)
[Picture by Bags]
Or maybe limit Pineda to 5 innings, with Phelps or Warren going the last 4. 33 starts x 5 innings = 165 innings.
Can I say that I like Nuno better than the rest? Too much starting pitching, what a concept.
Correct me if I'm wrong on this, but the Yankees got Pineda with five more cost-conrolled years, right? They've lost two to injury, and now they plan to limit his usage this season in order to...? Save him for the last couple cost-controlled years?
I wonder if it wouldn't be better simply to push him as far as he can go this year, rather than jimmy around with innings limits and the like, and worry about next year when it comes.