Michael Pineda is slated to return to the rotation Wednesday against the Astros.
The right-hander last pitched for the Yankees on July 24, out with a right forearm muscle strain, but after two minor league rehab starts, both manager Joe Girardi and Pineda believe he is ready.
Masahiro Tanaka will be bumped to Friday and Girardi indicated he would use a six-man rotation in September, perhaps with Bryan Mitchell or Chris Capuano, if he remains with the organization after being designated for assignment Saturday to make room for Branden Pinder.
But those issues are secondary to Pineda’s performance when he returns.
The Yankees had hoped he finally would stay healthy for a full season and reach his potential.
Instead, he’s been inconsistent, especially since his best game of the season, when he struck out 16 Orioles on May 10.
In a dozen starts following that outing, Pineda has gone just 4-7 with a 4.77 ERA.
Pineda doesn’t believe there is any correlation between that game, when he threw a season-high 111 pitches, and his ensuing dip in effectiveness.
And after giving up one run in 4 ²/₃ innings for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday, Pineda reported no problems.
“I’m feeling good,” Pineda said before the Yankees faced the Indians. “I’m ready to pitch.”
Mitchell’s recovery from a fractured nose is set to continue with a bullpen session on Sunday, less than a week after he took a line drive off his head against the Twins on Monday.
“It’s incredible considering what it could have been,” Girardi said. “He still has some stitches that need to be removed before we would let him pitch. So far, everything he’s done has been good.”
Mitchell’s recovery really won’t be complete, though, until he gets back on the mound for the first time against a batter since Eduardo Nunez’s liner ricocheted off his head into center field.
“We’ll have him throw a game of some kind at one point against some type of hitters,” Girardi said. “He’ll have gone a week without pitching. And the fact you want him to get back on the mound. … You want him to feel comfortable.”
Girardi also didn’t rule out Capuano rejoining the rotation.
“We’re hoping [Capuano] comes back, makes another start or two [in the minors] and is built up and we’ll go from there,” Girardi said.
Mark Teixeira missed his fifth straight game with a bone bruise in his lower right leg, but he may take batting practice for the first time Sunday. “He’s still hurting,” Girardi said. … Garrett Jones received his unconditional release. … Alex Rodriguez was given the day off, with Brian McCann as the DH and John Ryan Murphy behind the plate… Hank’s Yanks will play New York City All-Stars on Sunday at Heritage Park at 10 a.m. Proceeds will benefit Pediatric Cancer Awareness.