HEAVY LOAD: Michael Pineda’s admission of a shoulder injury was a huge setback in what has become a difficult first spring as a Yankee for the 23-year-old right-hander. (AP)
TAMPA — The question before last night was: Could young Michael Pineda pitch lights out in order to come from behind to earn the final spot in the Yankees rotation?
Following his putrid performance against the Phillies at George M. Steinbrenner Field, Pineda admitted his right shoulder is hurting, and now you must wonder if he will ever again be the pitcher he was for the Mariners during the first half of last season, the pitcher the Yankees thought they were getting when they traded Jesus Montero to Seattle.
Several times while speaking with the media, Pineda’s eyes filled with tears.
“I’m the same Michael Pineda,’’ he said in a quiet voice. “I’m making adjustments. I’m pitching. I’m the same Michael Pineda as last year.’’
No, he’s not. This was not just about a lack of velocity. Pineda became a pitching pinata, surrendering six runs on seven hits, walking three and striking out only two, lasting only 2 2/3 innings in the Yankees’ 13-9 win.
He admitted he tried to dial it up and couldn’t. His fastball stayed mostly in the 90-91 mph range. The more he tried to muscle up, the more he lost command. Often, his fastball was straight as an arrow. He kept trying to stretch on the mound, but never could get the right feel for his body or his pitches.
“I didn’t have good command for my fastball,’’ he said. “My arm is a little sore.’’
He then pointed to the back of his shoulder where the pain was most troublesome. That’s the red flag of shoulder pain, and Pineda will undergo an MRI today — the worst possible news he and the Yankees could get.
When Pineda walked into the Yankees clubhouse around 5 p.m. he had his headphones on and was swaying to the music, trying to shut out the outside world. Pineda tried his best to ignore a roomful of reporters and put on his game face, but he never looked comfortable in his pregame setting.
When he went to the mound, it got much worse.
He showed no fastball, no confidence; there was no life in his body, much less his pitches. He had lost it all and as he tried to explain all his pitching woes, you had to feel for him, but you also had to realize Pineda put himself in a bad situation by coming into camp way overweight. He was never mentally or physically ready for the challenge of being a Yankee.
If George Steinbrenner were still around, this would not be pretty.
Remember, though, Pineda is only 23. There is much to learn about him. This much is fact — between his first spring training start against the Phillies and last night’s start, he has gone backward at a breakneck pace. You can be sure the Yankees will now take the cautious approach with him. He may never make it to Yankee Stadium this season.
When his night was over, and Pineda left the clubhouse, he walked alone down the dark hallway, head down, shoulders slumped. He was a lost pitching soul.
Putting him in the rotation and letting him grow looked to be a good move, but his shoulder changes everything. Up until last night, his ERA was 3.31 and he had struck out 16 batters in 16 1/3 innings and showed a new changeup. Then it all fell apart.
“He has no command and can’t repeat his delivery,’’ noted one scout at the game.
Michael Pineda is damaged goods right now. He is not right, physically or mentally. The first day he arrived here he was so excited to be a Yankee. Now that smile is gone, replaced by the pain in his shoulder and the heaviness in his heart.