Michael Pineda is probably leaving the Yankees the same way he joined them: Injured

With Tommy John surgery likely, Pineda’s time in New York seems over.

News broke on Friday that Michael Pineda, the Yankees’ right-hander who has an 8-4 record with a 4.39 ERA at the halfway point, is most likely heading for Tommy John Surgery with a partially torn UCL. While it wouldn’t be impossible for Pineda to rehab without undergoing surgery — and he is getting a second opinion before making a final decision — things aren’t looking great for the 28-year old.

The good news for the Yankees is that they have options and the injury happened in advance of the trade deadline, so they can add to their rotation if that’s the route management chooses to go with. Pineda’s options though, are much more limited. As it currently stands, it looks like he could be leaving New York the same way he first arrived - injured.

Due to shoulder tendinitis at the close of spring training in 2012 and a subsequent torn labrum that lead to surgery, Pineda missed all of 2012 and 2013 in the majors. He’s performed decently since then, but suffered through time on the disabled list for muscle strains in multiple years and fared poorly in his only complete season - a 6-12 2016 campaign in which he finished with 4.82 ERA.

As a free agent after this season (he’s currently being paid a nice $7.4 million) chances are slim that the Yankees will have him back for his age-29 season considering his extensive injury history and his likely asking price despite those stints on the DL.

Of course, the organization could offer him a “prove it” contract with heavy incentives based on starts in the majors or innings pitched so he can convince them he has the ability to stay healthy before he heads to greener pastures. But that’s not likely considering the Yankees’ rotation is struggling due to injury right now, but isn’t a complete catastrophe - especially considering they’ll now have to find someone at the deadline to shore things up in Pineda’s absence anyway.

Brian Cashman says the team will be “careful buyers” at the deadline as of now, but that still means they’re looking and even with rookies like Jordan Montgomery poised to impress, they can still find sufficient help just in case. Add to that the fact Pineda is still only 28 and will want a decent chunk of change for his services - and, knowing this league, will probably get it - and he’s almost certainly out of pinstripes for good.

Which is a shame considering the contribution he could’ve had should he have avoided even one or two or his unfortunate injuries and the prospects the Yankees gave up to get him in the first place. Things didn’t work out perfectly for either side this time, but that happens. If only Pineda could have departed healthy off of a successful season instead of being forced to convince teams that he’s still got it during the offseason.