Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Thursday that while the club won't place a strict innings limit on Michael Pineda, they "understand we have to be careful." Pineda has been limited to just 40 2/3 rehab innings over the last two years due to shoulder woes. He pitched 171 frames in his rookie season back in 2011, and it's safe to say the Yanks probably wouldn't go far past that number. Pineda is battling David Phelps for the fifth spot in New York's rotation. When asked if the club might start considering starting Pineda at Triple-A so it would be easier to limit his innings, Cashman said, "If he earns the right to make the team, he will make the team."

Michael Pineda struck out five over 2 2/3 innings in the Yankees' 6-0 shutout of the Orioles on Thursday. Pineda walked one and gave up three hits, but all of the hits were singles. His velocity was reportedly in the 89-92 mph range in the game. He currently stands as the favorite to be the Yankees' fifth starter. However, we don't see him being a quality option in mixed leagues early on.

Michael Pineda impressed in his Grapefruit League debut on Friday, tossing a pair of scoreless innings and fanning four in a victory over the Tigers. Pineda exhibited great command of his pitches, throwing 21 of his 27 offerings for strikes. The last of his four strikeouts came courtesy of two-time reigning AL MVP Miguel Cabrera. Afterwards, Yankees catcher Brian McCann noted that "his slider was pretty much unhittable." Even more promising, is that his velocity sat comfortably in the 91-93 MPH range. He should start to climb up fantasy draft boards with every strong spring showing.

Michael Pineda (shoulder) will make his Grapefruit League debut on Friday. He'll follow Hiroki Kuroda, who will start the game. Pineda's surgically-repaired shoulder isn't an issue anymore, but the Yankees have brought the big righty along slowly this spring. Reports on Pineda's stuff in the early going have been encouraging as he competes for the fifth spot in the rotation.

Michael Pineda (shoulder) will pitch in a simulated game Sunday before being allowed to get into a Grapefruit League game. Reports this spring on Pineda have been encouraging, but the Yankees are taking things slowly with him this spring. The right-hander's shoulder doesn't appear to be an issue anymore, and it sounds like he's getting his velocity back. He'll be one to keep an eye on this spring.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said of Michael Pineda's bullpen session Thursday that the ball is "coming out easy" and his mechanics "look much more polished than they were a couple of years ago." "I don't see him overthrowing and the stuff being sharp, hitting his spots with some sink and some run to it," Girardi added. "His slider looks good, his changeup looks good. His mechanics to me look much more polished than they were a couple of years ago. He's had a lot of time to work on it and to think about it. He's much more consistent in his delivery." The positive feedback from Girardi comes on the heels of last week's report from ESPN's Buster Olney that said the Yankees are "quietly encouraged and excited" about what they've seen out of Pineda so far. The big righty will compete for the final spot in the Yanks' rotation and has ample fantasy appeal should he win the gig.

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Yankees are "quietly encouraged and excited" about what they see in Michael Pineda. Olney says the right-hander is "signs of (a) velocity increase." The Pineda's velocity does indeed return following two years of shoulder issues, he instantly becomes very intriguing. The 25-year-old will battle it out with David Phelps, Adam Warren and Vidal Nuno for the final spot in the Yankees' rotation and easily possesses the highest upside of the group.

Michael Pineda said Monday that he enters spring training at "100 percent." "I'm going to compete for the rotation," Pineda said. "I'm the same Michael Pineda. I'm 100 percent now and my body is in good shape." Pineda, of course, hasn't pitched in the majors since 2011 due to shoulder issues, but he's feeling good now and will battle it out with David Phelps, Adam Warren and Vidal Nuno for the final spot in the Yankees' rotation. The 25-year-old certainly has the best upside of the group if he can show that he's got his velocity back.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday that Michael Pineda finished the year healthy and will compete for a job with the big club next spring. Cashman made it a point to say that Pineda has minor league options remaining, so he'll have to perform in order to win a spot out of spring training. The 24-year-old right-hander hasn't pitched in a major league game since September 21, 2011.

Michael Pineda (shoulder) isn't expected to be an option for the Yankees this season. He's been throwing bullpen sessions but just isn't far enough along to realistically return this year. Pineda could still be an option for next year's Opening Day rotation if he pitches well in spring training.