Pineda headed for second opinion following MRI

April 24, 2012 by Mike Axisa 121 Comments

Via Marc Carig, Chad Jennings & Bryan Hoch, right-hander Michael Pineda is going to see Dr. David Altchek for a second opinion on his right shoulder following today’s MRI. It’s very important to note that Pineda’s agent requested the second opinion before he even went for the initial test today. The Yankees won’t announce he results of today’s MRI until after the second opinion tomorrow.

christian

uuuggghhhhhhh
ultimate913

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YADolfPnR4c
art vandelay

not good for business. not good.
Robinson Tilapia

Sweet, sweet bourbon.

*chug*
Robinson Tilapia

I saw that edit, Axisa. Smart move.
- art vandelay
  
  wow. just saw that edit. PHEW ! that makes me feel a little better
http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

Updated the post with more info, just FYI.
RetroRob

Confusing. Why would the agent request a second opinion even before the first test?

Second, do the Yankees not know the results of today’s MRI? Because the link “The Yankees won’t have the results of today’s MRI until after the second opinion tomorrow” makes it sound as if the Yankees don’t know the results of today’s MRI, but how is that possible?
- RetroRob
  
  *line* not link.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  I’m sure there’s a logical reason why not although, yeah, it’s frustrating and we want to know now.
  
  There was already enough hot air yesterday from all the qualified medical professionals here questionning every step of diagnosing his shoulder, so I’ll just assume they’ll find out when it’s in their right to find out.
  - RetroRob
    
    I think the question I’m dancing around here is who is in control? Pineda is a Yankees pitcher. Are they prevented from seeing the MRI? I’m sure it’s the Yankees who requested the MRI, so I would think they’d be invovled every step of the way.
    
    This is a medical test and there are privacy issues here, so maybe it’s standard course the team doesn’t know until the player releases the info.
    - Robinson Tilapia
      
      Looks like we got our answer from the Rapid Response Team.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  They might not have access to the results until Pineda’s doctor looks him over. Could be a union thing, I dunno.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  Just updated the post again. Hoch’s article says they have the results but won’t announce them until after the second opinion. That makes sense, they don’t want to release one thing today then potentially contradict them with something else tomorrow.
  - Countryclub
    
    Like the Mets do all the time.
  - RetroRob
    
    Okay, thanks. Makes more sense.
    
    Yet my level of concern has increased significantly. I was in the “calm down” group prior.
    - Robinson Tilapia
      
      The worst case scenario is that this becomes an ass-numbingly bad trade. I’ve already started emotionally preparing for that.
      
      *swig*
    - Havok9120
      
      This changes absolutely nothing for me. Or in reality. What with it happening before any tests happened.
      
      I’m prepared for itt to be bad however.
- pat
  
  Because the agent doesn’t want his shoulder f*cked up just as much as the Yankeess don’t.
Sarah

Thanks for the updated info, Mike. That does change my concern level some. A pre-emptive second opinion request seems more precautionary than alarming. Now, if we find out his shoulder is all shredded into a thousand pieces…
CJ

Cash Ninja! The first opinion was his shoulder has been damaged for 6 months or more. Cashman hopes the second opinion reveals it was an acute injury sustained in spring training resulting from an overweight condition.
Jack Z’d again
Chesser

Who’s Pineda? Is he that kid we got in the Campos trade?
- Who’s Your Daddy?
  
  :)
Countryclub

It makes sense to request a second opinion even before the first one is provided. If it’s bad news, you obviously want a second opinion. If it’s somewhat good news, you want the second opinion to make sure the good news is actually true so he doesn’t start rehabbing on a bad shoulder.
- Sarah
  
  Yes. Exactly.
- CJ
  
  Bet on bad news
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    He went to a doctor because his shoulder is bothering him. It’s guaranteed to be bad news, it’s just a question of how bad.
    - CJ
      
      As in September bad or 2012 bad? Or does it have to be 2013 or career ending to be considered bad news?
      - Robinson Tilapia
        
        Do any of the options you just provided sound good to you?
        
        Tom Zig
        
        No but some are less bad than others.
        
        Robinson Tilapia
        
        I understand it. It’s still a mighty fall from what was expected out of Pineda in 2012.
        
        I get the “think long term” stuff, trust me, but we usually say this stuff because of pitchers taking their lumps, etc., not shoulder issues. That’s a different animal than, say, if Montero were to find himself in Tacoma, or wherever their AAA team is, in August.
        
        Anyways, since I tend not to be the alarmist, I’m not going to argue this point much.
        
        CJ
        
        What do you think you’re getting? 2 weeks? After the all star break?
      - Countryclub
        
        Personally, I don’t care if he pitches at all this yr as long as he’s back healthy next yr. Sort of like what happened with Hughes last yr – hopefully with better results.
        
        CJ
        
        That act. If he doesn’t pitch this year there is no reason to believe he will be fine next year. Next year he starts as a reclamation project not a stud prospect or future ace Shoulder=damaged goods.
        
        Countryclub
        
        I disagree. If he doesn’t need surgery and all he ends up doing this yr is rehabbing because of a dead arm type scenario, that’s not bad news. I care about the long term, not just this yr.
        
        Robinson Tilapia
        
        Except that there’s a difference between “we need to be patient with this youngster and think long term” long-term and “this guy’s got shoulder issues” long-term. I get the sentiment, but the truth does lie somewhere in between “He’s done forever, Cashman failed” and “Just a temporary setback. These kids need time.”
        
        Countryclub
        
        I used Hughes as an example and it’s a good one. He rehabbed last yr and came back and pitched a bit near the end of the season. But the most important thing is that his shoulder is healthy this yr. his performance isn’t the point. The point is that Pineda might offer nothing of real value this yr and could still be important next season.
        
        Am I trying to look on the positive side? Sure. But is it unrealistic? Nope.
        
        Robinson Tilapia
        
        Yes, but Hughes isn’t pitching well. Neither is Josh Johnson, who my mind keeps on wandering to. How is he going to be important if he isn’t pitching to the expectations set for him…..which he already isn’t, since he’s not pitching?
        
        I am fully open to the fact that we may wind up arguing in circles here, Countryclub.
    - ethan
      
      What’s the best case? Is it really possible that this could be career ending?
      - CJ
        
        Well feliciano was supposed to be back
        In 2 months without surgery. Johan is another shoulder comp.
        
        http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
        
        You don’t even know what Pineda’s injury is, there’s no point in mentioning other players with shoulder problems. Could be a labrum, could be the rotator cuff, inflammation, a stress fracture, who knows.
        
        Robinson Tilapia
        
        Josh Johnson?
      - CJ
        
        Best case, Joba and Pineda on the same rehab timetable.
    - costanznumba0
      
      I wouldn’t consider a simple shoulder tendonitis or impingement bad news, quite frankly that’s the best case scenario imo
- RetroRob
  
  Sure, I can buy that, especially since he had his arm examined at the point of the trade and then he had an MRI at the end of Spring Training, both coming back clean. Since his shoulder is still experiencing issues, his agent no doubt wants to cover all bases, leaving no doubt no matter which direction they move.
  
  The fail here, and the part that raised my concern, is one related to expectations. This news came out of left field. If would have made total sense if the Yankees announced right up front that at the request of the agent there will be a second opinion so the team won’t announce results until Wednesday. The way this was conveyed creates additional questions when none were needed.
Robinson Tilapia

The good news here is that, by the time Axisa’s done updating the post, Pineda will be making his first start.
Tarik

Mike,

The saying goes that two is a coincidence, but three is a pattern. Still, is there anything to be made of the Yankees ability to evaluate potential injuries? First Feliciano, now this. Or is it best to just consider these things unrelated?
- CJ
  
  Agree. Only feliciano did not cost their best hitting prospect
CJ

Sounds like Pedro Feliciano. His 2nd opinion put him on a strength and throwing program for six weeks. Remember that when trying to minimize this disaster tomorrow.
Clyde Barrow

He’s done for the season and there’s no use counting on him this year. Cashman screwed up. If Montero turns out to be a star this could be the worst trade in MLB history. Our only insurance policy now is Andy.
- YanksFanInBeantown
  
  It’s awesome that you can just know these things without having heard any information one way or the other.
  - CJ
    
    Keep hope alive man. I prefer to read between the lines. Hey, I hope I’m wrong and he’s back in June but i don’t see it.
- CJ
  
  Agree. Done for 2011. Cashman screwed up, again, this time royally.
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    I can guarantee you he’s not done for 2011.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Worse than Babe Ruth. Put that one in your pipe, stick it up your butt, and smoke it, flapjack.
JobaWockeeZ

Hooray for Campos.
- Betty Lizard
  
  Jose “MRI” Campos says hello.
- CJ
  
  He’s only 19, plenty of time for MRIs before he makes the bigs. Pitchers are too fragile.
  - JobaWockeeZ
    
    Yeah but we got an entire APRIL out of Campos.
Brian S.

Fuck Cashman.
- CJ
  
  This.
- Heisenberg
  
  I know nothing about you. I don’t know if you’ve done anything wrong on purpose or because of incompetence, but what I do know about you , I say F#$% Brian S.
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    Thank you, Walt.
    - Heisenberg
      
      Shh, I’m mid season 1 Heisenberg, nobody knows yet!
      - Tuco Salamanca
        
        You little bitch.
  - Dummies Playing With Balls (formerly Rainbow Connection)
    
    Why would you get that angry about what someone wrote about some millionaire that doesn’t give a shit about you?
  - Brian S.
    
    Your mother does.
- infernoscurse
  
  I agree
pat

Lol, if he came as damaged goods, isn’t that on the Yankees doctors’ because they misread the pre-trade MRI? Hopefully Cash doesn’t give the physicals himself.
- Manny
  
  came here to say this.
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    Yet neither of you can demonstrate how he came here as damaged goods.
adeel

this is good, pineda wont ever pitch for the yankees because all of his shoulder ligaments turned to rust after he ate the bypass burger vacationing in vegas. BUT, instead of Montero in a tight spot this postseason, it will be NUNEZ and he will hit the game winning rbi and become the World series MVP…

So this trade is key to winning in 2012 and Cashman is a genius for having the forsight to see this. They don’t call him ninja for anything.
- Bryan__fromNZ
  
  Cashman is the Beverly Hills Ninja.
  
  JK just following the rhetoric in this forum. Theoretical value wise, at the time it was a good trade for us. However, imo Cashman should’ve been a bit more cautious and not challenge Pineda’s rotation spot. For such a young pitcher, you wanna ease him into the hostile Yankee environment. Also, a bit more due diligence on what Pineda did on the offseason to determine what he should do in ST would’ve been better.
Endlessmike

I wonder how bad it could be? If the first tests in spring traing showed no obvious signs of tears or torn ligamnets than what could be so bad that they missed it the first time.

I really just hoping it’s not as bad as it’s feels.I’m just hoping the second opinion is a trip to see DR.James Andrews.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  He could have torn something after the initial test.
  - LarryM.,Fl.
    
    After 15 throws at less than batting practice speed.
    - Bo Knows
      
      He was working at game speed dude, he had been doing bullpen for a few weeks before going into minor league (probably extended ST) game; which is where he cut himself short.
      
      know the facts before saying stupid-ass things
      - LarryM.,Fl.
        
        Bo you are correct about extended ST game but it was after 15 pitches. So you can chalk that one on your side of ledger of Bo’s knows . I will admit to miss reading the Yankee post but you are who you are that from the small sample of writing.
LarryM.,Fl.

Maybe the agent is just being protective of his meal ticket and the results are not as negative as the comments. Pineda has tried to rest the shoulder and maybe the MRI confirms this diagnosis.

The agent wants the 2nd opinion before the Yankees wreck his career with their doctors possible slanted view.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  All we learned today was that his agent requested a second opinion as soon as they heard he was headed for the initial test. That’s all. He was going for the second opinion no matter what.
- Heisenberg
  
  Isn’t the Yankees view of “We want him to pitch for as long and well as possible” pretty much the same as the Agent’s, except for the added “,and make me a lot of money.” ?
Dino Velvet

Jesus just knocked in his 9th RBI, even though he plays on a piss poor team in a pitcher’s park.

Can’t believe people are defending Cashman.
- LarryM.,Fl.
  
  I still do the trade for pitching and trade a guy who had no position on the team except for DH.
  
  I hope he wasn’t damaged goods and the injury slipped by the medical team.
  - Dino Velvet
    
    Cashman has to be held responsible for trading Jesus for an unproven pitcher.
    - Havok9120
      
      Held responsible? Sure. He green lit it.
      
      But being held responsible is only a bad thing if it was a bad trade. Opinions remain divided and will always be so.
    - G
      
      Trading an unproven hitter for a slightly proven pitcher seems reasonable to me.
      
      Pineda isn’t damaged goods, at least not yet. Is there a chance the MRI reveals a devastating injury? Sure. Do we know anything even close to that yet? No.
      - qwerty
        
        Put in those terms it would be impossible for it not to be reasonable.
- Betty Lizard
  
  RBIs, smaRBIs. The only RBIs I care about are those in tonight’s game against Texas.
  
  Player X: .241/.259/.370/.629
  
  Player Y: .275/.302/.450/.752
  
  Player Y is Raul Ibanez. (with 9 RBIs BTW.)
- Pasqua
  
  1) It’s April 24, and you are suggesting that the trade is a bust because Jesus Montero has 9 RBI for the Mariners. Seriously?
  
  2) It is completely logical to defend Cashman because it is completely logical to assume that Pineda’s shoulder was NOT injured prior to his becoming a Yankee. Wast Cashman supposed to see this coming?
  - qwerty
    
    What montero does is kind of irrelevant because his value was based on his minor league stats and #3 ranking. The yankees didn’t have to trade him for an unproven pitcher.
    - Evan3457
      
      No, they could’ve traded him for a proven #3 starter.
      No aces available on the winter market.
      Then the people screaming about trading Montero for a 23 year old under control for the next 4-5 years who throws 96-7 when he needs it has a killer slider and good control, and is a changeup development away from an ace could’ve bitched about that.
      - qwerty
        
        Hmm, seems to me that Latos was an upcoming ace with a proven track record and no major injuries.
        
        Curved Slightly
        
        Now now… don’t going using logic and common sense. We have to defend this trade because of TEH FASTBALL AND TEH NASTYYYYY SLIDER!!111!eleven
    - Bavarian Yankee
      
      sure, the Yankees didn’t have to trade Montero for an unproven pitcher. That’s why they traded him for Pineda, who had great success in his rookie year and has proven that he can be an ace.
      - Curved Slightly
        
        Pineda and the phrases “proven pitcher” and “great success in his rookie year” and “proven that he can be an ace” do not go together.
        
        Pineda proved he can have a good first half. A good first half does not prove that he’s an ace or a proven pitcher. He got the benefit pitching against teams in a mediocre division.
        
        Let’s not kid ourselves here. The only thing he’s proven so far is that he’s lazy, injury prone and probably won’t throw an inning for the Yankees this year… let’s hope he’s traded and doesn’t throw an inning for them period.
SevenAces

A friend of mine panics and comes up with this theory:
“If it isn’t bad, why do they need a second opinion?”
infernoscurse

I dont expect him back this year

as gray albright states: If your starter is shut down and almost a month later they need an MRI, it’s not good.
Monterowasdinero

Right now it’s Montero for Pinada. He looked good in his first ab against Scherzer. Rbi single. Hoping for good news tomorrow and rapid rise of Campos.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Hold this train up here, Mr. DJ4K. You’re not going back already, are you? We will have your ass for this. :)
  - Monterowasdinero
    
    Today I am torn between 2 handles, feeling like a fool, loving both of them is breakin’ all the rules :-)
- mustang
  
  Yes, then he flied out to right which makes him 4 for 25 with 1 HR and now 4 RBI since his last multiple hit game back on 4/14.
  - mustang
    
    If we are going to have a Montero report lets make it compete.
    - mustang
      
      Another Lightning Bolt to third that’s 1 for 3
      - Monterowasdinero
        
        We shall see after 5-600 abs. I am very confident. Far more than I am in Pineda in NY.
        
        mustang
        
        Ok, just as long as your honest with it if he fails and for the report I don’t he is, but I’m also not going to compare him to A Rod.
        
        mustang
        
        record not repoet.
  - Monterowasdinero
    
    ARod #’s!
    - mustang
      
      Look at them since 4/14:
      
      http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/3115/alex-rodriguez
      
      At least he has a few multiple hit games he not 1 and done.
Robinson Tilapia

I go back to the mantra I’ve held for a while now. This team, in order to maintain the financial flexibility they want, and in order to stop needlessly overrelying on the FA market for starting pitching, needs to develop two additional starting pitchers from Pineda, Phelps, Warren, Mitchell, Banuelos, and Betances. I don’t care which two of them it is, in the end.
- Betty Lizard
  
  And, we can hope that Andy Pettite is going to give the Yankees a significant chunk of pitcher development time and flexibility by joining the rotation and pitching well.. Hooray!
  
  I’m going to be hopeful and patient about Pinada.
  
  /Pollyanna’d
Electric Nunez aka the shocker

Jack Z is laughing all the way in seattle atnthe cashman rube. You want felix huh how about this other guy. Just like buying a camero with blown engine.
- Evan3457
  
  Except the engine wasn’t blown when they traded for him.
  It’s entirely possibly, if not likely, he blew it (if it’s blown), trying to appease the fans, media and team, trying to overthrow in exhibition games.
infernoscurse

lol
Mattingly’s Sideburns

This organization has no idea how to handle young pitchers. The kid came to camp out of shape probably just because he didn’t know any better. They give him a spot in the rotation pretty much sight unseen to justify to the masses that they trade his holiness for something good. Then when the kid doesn’t show the velocity we were all expecting, they say if we don’t see it soon you’re gonna get optioned. This kid wasn’t damaged goods, they let him hurt himself trying to over throw rather than working his chunky ass into shape. I hope its nothing too serious but if it turns out bad, we have no one to blame but ourselves.
- gargoyle
  
  You gotta be kidding.
ClayDavis

Sheeeeeeeeeiiiiiiit
MikedJones

I bet he never throws apotxj for the yankees
isotopesgm

I think the second opinion w/ Altcheck is probably b/c his agent knows that Altcheck is the best shoulder surgeon in the country. It’s about the time the yankees start having surgery’s performed at the #1 hospital for orthopedics, which also just happens to be a stones throw from their stadium.

But yeah, this is probably bad news, but not definitely, I still have a glimmer of hope.
MB

2012 WAR

Pineda: 0.0

Campos: 0.0

Noesi: -0.1

Montero: -0.2

Yankees won the trade for 2012 thusfar!!!!
Fin

In the end if Pineda is damaged goods it could cost Cashman his job. Not because of the trade itself, but because I think he has to field a playoff team at for $189m to stay in the good graces of Hal. Without Pineda I think he is going to have a very difficult job doing that.
- qwerty
  
  It’s not going to cost him anything.