Michael Pineda injury update: Two hits allowed in first rehab appearance

In his first rehab appearance with the High-A Tampa Yankees, Michael Pineda pitched 4.1 innings, allowing two hits and an unearned run. He struck out four across that time and was done for the day after 68 pitches. The Yankees want him to build up to 90-100 pitches over the course of his rehab appearances, and his 30-day rehab clock has officially started, so he'll need to get there over the course of this month.

Velociraptors: Pineda started around 91, peaking at 93, now around 90.

— Anthony Rieber (@therealarieber) June 9, 2013

For someone just beginning his rehab from a surgery that has ruined many a career, it's hard to be too disappointed with 90-93 mph. As his arm strength builds, it's likely that his velocity will also climb, even if it doesn't return to the 98 mph that Pineda was capable of before his torn shoulder labrum.

It will be interesting to see what the situation at the major league level is when Pineda has sufficiently completed his rehab. If everyone is healthy and performing well, David Phelps' spot is possibly the least secure. If Phelps is doing well and Phil Hughes is struggling, would they really pull Hughes from the rotation in favor of Pineda? Obviously all that is at least a month away, but maybe the Yankees could use the impending trade deadline to make some moves if they suddenly have a surplus in the pitching department.

Update:

If you're a Yankees fan, you're going to love what the scouts who watched Pineda just said. First nugget: They had him touching 95.

— Anthony Rieber (@therealarieber) June 9, 2013

That's exciting!