Via Andrew Marchand: The Yankees have not ruled out using Michael Pineda as a reliever in the second half if there isn’t any room for him in the rotation. For what it’s worth, Joe Girardi said they consider him a starter. “That’s how I’ve seen him … I don’t see using him any other way right now, but a lot of things that have happened this year,” said the skipper.
Pineda, 24, got knocked around pretty good in his penultimate rehab start on Sunday, allowing four runs in three innings while throwing more balls than strikes for Double-A Trenton. There’s time for just one more rehab start before his 30-day window expires on Monday. Barring a DL-worthy injury or a trade involving two starters, I have to think the team will option Pineda to Triple-A for a few weeks after the rehab stint is over. That will push his free agency back a year. I’m not necessarily opposed to temporarily using him out of the bullpen down the stretch, but I’d prefer to see Pineda work on a set schedule with a routine so soon after shoulder surgery.