New York Yankees News - April 26, 2012

Good morning, Pinstripe Alley!

• The really, really bad news: Michael Pineda will not play in pinstripes in 2012. Pineda reportedly tore the anterior labrum on his right shoulder, requiring season-ending surgery that will take place on Tuesday, May 1. The winter trade that sent Yankee phenom catching prospect Jesus Montero and Scranton/Bronx journeyman Hector Noesi to the Seattle Mariners isn't paying dividends at the moment.
• After being shutout by Yu Darvish on Tuesday, the Yankees dropped the rubber-game against the Texas Rangers 7-3 last night. Derek Jeter piled on two more hits to his already red-hot start to the season. He's currently batting .420, leading all MLB batters in hits this season (34) with the closest hitters, Josh Hamilton and Matt Kemp, sitting pretty at 30 hits.
• With Pineda being shutdown until 2013, the importance of a successful return from Andy Pettitte is increasing by the minute. Pettitte tossed five innings for Double-A Trenton Thunder on Wednesday, allowing four runs (one earned) on seven hits and one walk while striking out three against the Erie SeaWolves. He's expected to make two additional minor league starts before rejoining the Yankees for the first time since October of 2010.
• Phil Hughes struggled yet again on Wednesday, pitching 2.2 innings allowing four runs on five hits while striking out two.
• If you missed the hoopla, Nick Swisher's chest-beating two-run double to give the Yankees a 10-9 lead on Saturday against the Boston Red Sox evoked some snide comments from John Kruk. Well, Swisher decided to answer back on Wednesday.
• The Yankees are "free agents" on the radio market after the season. They very well might be headed to the FM dials...