PLAYING TIME: Could Pineda, Nova be headed to the minors?
Mar 30 2012
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Could Pineda or Nova be headed for minor leagues?
Manager Joe Girardi's recent remarks that the loser in the starting rotation competition is not guaranteed a bullpen spot merely added fuel to recent media speculation that off-season acquisition Michael Pineda (RHP, NYY) might begin the season in Triple-A. While Pineda's 2011 skills, including 100 BPV and 3.41 xERA, clearly rank him as one of NYY's top rotation options, he reported to spring training overweight and has shown less velocity than during his rookie season. Pineda is now reportedly reduced to battling Iván Nova (RHP, NYY), coming off a 16-win season, for the fifth starter spot.
Darkhorse candidate Phil Hughes (RHP, NYY) has apparently secured a...
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