Pineda (back) was activated from the 60-day DL in advance of Wednesday's start vs. the Orioles, Erik Boland of Newsday reports. Pineda will match up against the Orioles' Chris Tillman for his first start since Apr. 23. The 25-year-old will be making just his fifth start for the Yankees since the team acquired him from the Mariners prior to the 2012 season. In spite of the missed time, the Yankees still have high hopes for him becoming a critical member of the rotation over the final month and a half of the season.

Pineda (back) will start Wednesday at Baltimore, Sweeny Murti of WFAN reports. In two August starts at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pineda displayed his standout strikeout ability, punching out 11 in 7.2 innings. Note the innings count, which likely forecasts a cap in his initial big league appearances. However, his first nod since Apr. 23 is now a certainty.

Esmil Rogers, and not Pineda, is currently slated to start Wednesday's game against Baltimore, Newsday reports. Pineda said he'd be ready to return to the big league club after his last rehab start, but manager joe Girardi has yet to say when he believes Pineda could return. With Rogers tentatively scheduled to start Wednesday, a third rehab start for Pineda seems likely. No official announcement has been made yet, so it is worth monitoring until one is.

Pineda (back) said he's ready to rejoin the Yankees' rotation after tossing 4.1 innings of one-run ball in a rehab start for Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes-Barre on Friday, MLB.com reports. He gave up six hits and struck out seven without issuing a walk. Several setbacks have delayed Pineda's return from a lat injury, but it seems he may finally be on the verge of making it back to the major leagues. His fastball velocity sat around 92-94 mph Friday and his slider was working, as he fanned seven in a 72-pitch effort. A New York Daily News report suggested Pineda will likely return next Wednesday to take on the Orioles, but manager Joe Girardi was non-committal, saying "we'll sit down and we'll talk about it." Esmil Rogers pitched fairly well in a spot start Friday and it seems the club is thinking about giving him another turn.

Pineda (back) is expected to start for the Yankees next Wednesday against Baltimore, the New York Daily News reports. Pineda's second rehab start for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday is likely to be his last. He's expected to build up his pitch count to around 75-80, and then rejoin the team in Baltimore for his first start for the big club in more than three months. The right-hander suffered several setbacks in his recovery from a lat injury.

Pineda (back) could be an option to start for the Yankees next Wednesday, Wallace Matthews of ESPN New York reports. Pineda, having just resumed pitching last week for the first time sine April, is not being considered for the opening in the Yankees' rotation that will come up Friday. However, the Yankees are in desperate need of starting pitching, so Pineda could get the nod the next time through even if he has not fully built up his pitch count.

Pineda (back) will be contained to 80 pitches in a rehab start Friday at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Wallace Matthews of ESPN New York reports. The Yankees have an upcoming opening in the rotation (Friday against the Indians) due to David Phelps' bout with an inflamed right elbow. However, Pineda won't be considered, as he embarks upon what could be the final nod of his assignment. In his first start Sunday at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he impressed, allowing no runs on three hits and one walk while punching out four in 3.1 innings.

Michael Pineda (back) has been cleared to begin a rehab assignment after throwing a successful simulated game Tuesday. Yankees manager Joe Girardi described Pineda during the sim game as "really good." It's not clear where he'll be assigned for his rehab assignment or what day it will begin, but it will come later this week. He'll throw 60-65 pitches and/or four innings in his first rehab start. Pineda is tracking towards a mid-August return if all goes well.

Michael Pineda (back) will throw three innings or 45 pitches in a simulated game on Tuesday. It's not clear what the next step will be after that, but Pineda beginning a rehab assignment would seem to be plausible. The Yankees are hoping to get the big right-hander back in their rotation in mid-August. Pineda has been out since late April with a strained muscle in upper back.

Michael Pineda (shoulder) is scheduled to throw two live sessions of batting practice this week. If those go well, he will be cleared for simulated action. And then comes a minor league rehab assignment. The right-hander could be an option for the Yankees' rotation by mid-August if all continues to go well. Pineda has been sidelined since April with a shoulder issue.