TRENTON — Eventually, they all may pass through Arm & Hammer Stadium. Within the next several weeks, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, and Francisco Cervelli each could don a Trenton Thunder uniform.
In this season of elongated — or, in some cases, repeated — trips to the disabled list, stopping off for a game or two with the Yankees’ Double-A affiliate while rehabbing one’s way back to The Bronx is likely to become a rite of passage.
Last night, it was right-hander Michael Pineda’s turn.
Appearing in a game for only the third time since shoulder surgery in May 2012 cost him all of last season, the 24-year-old threw six scoreless innings and allowed just two singles on a sultry night that might have reminded him of his native Dominican Republic as the Thunder beat the Erie SeaWolves, the Tigers’ Double-A affiliate, 4-0.
The 6-foot-7, 260-pounder, who was acquired in the trade that sent once highly regarded catching prospect Jesus Montero to Seattle in January 2012, threw 78 pitches, 56 strikes, and legitimately reached as high as 95 mph on an erratic ballpark radar gun which also clocked one of his throws at 142 mph.
“I thought he was really good,” said Mark Newman, the Yankees’ senior vice president of baseball operations who watched the game from behind home plate. “I’ve seen every one of his rehab starts. This is the best command of the strike zone, the best secondary pitches, the best consistent delivery.’’
Pineda maintained his speed throughout, hitting 95 mph in the third, fourth and sixth innings. He struck out four, walked two, and didn’t allow a hit after the third inning. His final pitch of the night was clocked at 94 mph.
Pineda mixed in his fastball along with a slider and a change-up, a pitch that really impressed Newman.
“His changeup has improved immensely,” he said. “If he takes a better changeup out of the rehab process, that would be a nice plus out of all this difficulty he has been through.’’
Pineda, who hadn’t completed five innings in either of his previous two starts for Single-A Tampa but felt stronger last night, said he was happy with his performance.
“My mechanics are a little better,” he said. “I’m making adjustments. I have to keep working and get stronger to pitch in [major league] games.”
Newman said no decision has been made on either when or where Pineda will pitch next. The only thing certain is Pineda’s anxiousness to rejoin the Yankees.
“I don’t have control over that situation,” Pineda said. “I want to be ready when the Yankees need me. I’m ready now, ready for pitching. I’m very excited to pitch in Yankee Stadium. I’ve never pitched in Yankee Stadium.”
“He’s not there yet, but it’s a step in the right direction,” Newman said. “This gets him closer to where I know he wants to be and we want him to be.”