Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda is dealing with a right arm injury, as WFAN’s Mike Francesca first reported, although the injury’s severity remains unclear. Joel Sherman of the New York Post cites Yankees executives in saying that the issue is a strained muscle in Pineda’s forearm as opposed to anything in his elbow, and it’s not believed to be serious at this time (Twitter links). Nonetheless, Marly Rivera of ESPN tweets that Pineda won’t start tonight’s game for New York, as had previously been scheduled. While many will speculate that there’s an increased need to add pitching, there’s been no definitive report on Pineda requiring a lengthy absence from the rotation. (And while some have said otherwise, Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News tweets that there’s no issue with Ivan Nova’s arm at present.)
More on the Yankees and their division, which is still reeling from Toronto’s now-official addition of David Price…
- The Yankees recently reached out to the Mariners to express interest in Dustin Ackley, reports Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). The two sides discussed a scenario in which outfielders Ramon Flores and Ben Gamel would’ve gone to the Mariners, but Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik wanted more for Ackley, and talks have since cooled, per Feinsand. Ackley, the former No. 2 overall pick in the draft, is again struggling this season and has batted a mere .215/.270/.366. Many have speculated that Zduriencik is loath to undertake in any type of sale, as his job security could be tied to the Mariners’ finish this season. Nonetheless, it’s a bit surprising to hear him holding out for any sort of return on Ackley, though Flores and Gamel admittedly aren’t all that well-regarded. Flores ranked 27th on MLB.com’s midseason edition of the Yankees’ Top 30 prospects, while Gamel didn’t place.
- The Orioles are continually being asked for the likes of Kevin Gausman, Jonathan Schoop, Mychal Givens and even Manny Machado in trades, reports Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com (via Twitter). Each of those players is considered a deal-breaker for Baltimore, he writes. The Orioles have been seeking upgrades to their corner outfield situation recently.
- The Rays are indeed listening to offers on Nate Karns (as was reported earlier today), tweets Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. However, Topkin feels that the likeliest trade candidate, if the Rays move someone at all, remains right-hander Kevin Jepsen. Topkin reported last week that the Rays may very well trade a relief pitcher prior to the trade deadline.
Dock_Elvis
Jack Z is hesitating on Ackley? Hes likely a non tender.
Dock_Elvis
Maybe Jack Z would like a Delorian so he can go back to overule himself talking his scouts out of taking Trout #2
rivera42
So his scouts wanted Trout at 2 and he overruled them? Is there an article out there about this? I’d love to read it. Of course, it’s Jack Z, so it doesn’t surprise me. How that guy is still a GM of a team is a mystery.
Dock_Elvis
I don’t have the link, sorry…but I read the report that was actually about the Yankees minor league philosophy back in April or May. There were 3 teams that had Trout #2 overall…Strasburg being the #1 among all 30 teams.
The three were Seattle, LA Angels, and the Yankees. Seattle held the #2 pick and had Trout slotted there
..but Jack Z balked because Ackley was safer and signable. There was a slight concern at Trout’s bonus deamnd given that he was from New Jersey and came on late. His Dad was a former player and had connections to the Angels area scout…Angels had two consecutive picks…took Randal Grichuk first then Trout….Yankees were set to take him just a few picks later.
Gambit1193
What’s the Yankees love for Ackley ?
rmullig2
They believe that if they can bring him in to YS then he”d be able to hit a ton of home runs. He has talent and with the right hitting coach he could possibly be salvaged. At the worst he could replace Garrett Jones next year.
John Lazzaro
Who wouldn’t want to replace Garrett Jones? He’s awful.
Dock_Elvis
I could see the Yanks viewing as a pesky 2ish or 8 hole hitter….but he’s not that now….
redsfanman
Mike Leake is available to help the Yankees, as is Aroldis Chapman. Jay Bruce might be just the solution the Orioles need.
seamaholic 2
Orioles have VERY little to trade if those guys are untouchable.
peterosesbookie
What does any team have to offer for Manny Machado? Mike Trout? Bryce Harper? Those seem like the only two people you trade Machado for.
Draven Moss
seamaholic isn’t talking about Machado and is referencing the other three names. We all know Machado is untouchable as it gets.
yanks1990
Yankees should have gotten Price b
MB923
Wonder if the Yankees go after Leake or one of the Padres starters (or add a closer perhaps as well)
I don’t understand why the Yankees want Ackely and I don’t understand why Jack Z would turn that down. Flores and Gamel aren’t all that good, but Ackley is terrible.
charles stevens
Yanks need Gallardo. He can swap dugouts and pitch for them tonight.
John Lazzaro
He’s better then any of the other lower tier options out there. A 3.19 ERA is rather impressive considering how many homeruns are hit out of that stadium.
Jeremy Johnson
Why would Jack Z. not trade Ackley? He has been a complete bust.
cwgriswold
The Yankees should just wait a few weeks when the next Mariners GM does what should have been done weeks ago and releases Ackley.
rmullig2
Not likely, they are still holding onto Montero. They’re afraid these guys will leave and be successful somewhere else.
kingfelix34
Ackley would be a lot better if he would shave his beard
thedocster
If Z is not making deals to protect his job, then he is no longer the GM of the MARINERS.. he is the GM of Jack Z.
peterosesbookie
Yankees have to get at least one solid arm for the rotation. Even if their rotation was healthy, I wouldn’t want to rely on any of those starters to pitch game 3 of a series.
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
Someone is wrong with the Orioles.
Getting a mid-level guy will do nothing.
Either they go for the gusto or they start trading veterans and give the kiddies like Mike Wright, Tyler Wilson, or Givens a chance.
They are ridiculous! #SMH
Jorge Soler Powered
Wasn’t there a big long story on here not long ago about how the Orioles were willing to listen on Gausman? Now he’s an “untouchable”?
lookouts
So Lefty, you don’t think the Orioles would love to trade Parmelee, Lough, Reimold, maybe even Flaherty? Or are the veterans to which you refer people like Machado, Jones, Tillman or Hardy? If you’re referring to the Orioles pending free agents, I might agree with you. But the Orioles are not going to trade their core for the next five years unless they get a huge, and I do mean a HUGE return. Don’t think any team out there could match what the Orioles could and should receive in return.
dethyr
The way he wears his hat is disrespectful to the professional aspect of the game. Glad to see him out of the picture for a while.