TAMPA — Two years ago he was a very large part of Hal Steinbrenner’s plan to lean on young arms to keep the Yankees out of the expensive free-agent pitching market.
Since then the Yankees have spent $175 million to secure the unknown Masahiro Tanaka. So much for Steinbrenner’s wish Michael Pineda, Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances would blossom.
Today, Pineda is a colossal question mark after undergoing right shoulder surgery.
Monday at George M. Steinbrenner Field, Pineda took a baby step forward in his attempt to make it back to the big leagues after not facing major league hitters since 2011, when he was with the Mariners.
Nearing the end of an early-morning bullpen session that was watched by manager Joe Girardi, pitching coach Larry Rothschild and bench coach Tony Pena, the 25-year-old Pineda drew praise.
“Very good, Michael,’’ Rothschild shouted.
Soaked in sweat despite the morning’s coolness, Pineda exited the pen with a smile on his face.
The odds of Pineda grabbing the fifth and final spot in Girardi’s rotation were long during the offseason, and several impressive bullpen sessions haven’t realistically shortened them.
Yet, Girardi doesn’t have to decide who the fifth starter is until the final week of March. David Phelps, Adam Warren, Vidal Nuno and Pineda are all in the mix.
Pineda, who suffered a shoulder injury in his first Yankees camp (in 2012), had surgery to repair a labral tear, missed the entire season and worked 30 ²/₃ minor league innings in 10 games last year.
“I am very excited for the competition and to make the rotation,’’ Pineda said.
When Pineda was acquired with right-hander Jose Campos from the Mariners prior to the 2012 season in exchange for Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi, the Yankees believed they had an eventual top-of-the-rotation starter.
Now, Pineda is competing for the caboose, and there is a chance he could land in the bullpen or open the season in the minors.
“I want to pitch in New York and pitch in the major leagues,’’ said Pineda, who was 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA and an AL All-Star as a rookie for the Mariners in 2011, when his fastball was clocked in the mid-90s.
As for the Yankees’ bullpen, Phelps and Warren each has more relief experience, but Girardi didn’t rule out the possibility of Pineda working there.
During his minor league outings a year ago Pineda’s fastball touched 93-94 mph, and while speed guns aren’t active during bullpen sessions, Pineda didn’t need a reading on Monday to understand his shoulder has improved.
“No pain at all and it’s strong,’’ Pineda said. “It’s strong and has good power. I [am] throwing the ball faster.’’
“I was happy with what I saw,: Girardi said of the 35-pitch session. “I thought the ball came out really well today. It looked different than a couple of years ago when he got hurt. I am anxious to see him get in games in 12 days or so.’’
Before anybody starts to talk about Pineda coming all the way back to grab a rotation spot, remember Tuesday is Feb. 18 and a lot can happen before Girardi has to make a decision.
But optimism is a big part of spring training and considering what Pineda was supposed to be, having him pitching well would give the Yankees a spike of adrenaline.
“I think it would be a boost. It’s a significant arm. If he is able to come back and be in your rotation … it’s a young starter. He doesn’t have a ton of mileage on him in a sense,’’ Girardi said. “I think it would be pretty significant.’’