Michael Pineda slated for rehab game on Sunday
Michael Pineda of the Yankees reacts after the final out of the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs during the second game of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Credit: Jim McIsaac
ARLINGTON, Texas -- The rehab clock for Michael Pineda's return to the Yankees' rotation could start soon. The righthander, out since May 6 with a muscle injury in his surgically repaired right shoulder, came through a 45-pitch simulated game in Tampa OK Tuesday morning and will pitch in a rehab game Sunday, Joe Girardi said.
The location of Pineda's rehab game has not yet been determined, according to Girardi. There are no Gulf Coast Rookie League games Sunday and High-A Tampa has a game in Jupiter, Florida. Double-A Trenton is on the road in Portland and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is home against Syracuse.
Girardi said Pineda is slated to throw 60-65 pitches Sunday and, should there be no setbacks, be bumped up "15 to 20 pitches" for his next outing, which would come five days later.
"You have to get him to where he can go 90 pitches and you feel good about it and he's not fatiguing," Girardi said.
Roberts 'beat up'
Girardi gave second baseman Brian Roberts Tuesday off and likely will do the same Wednesday. "He's been beat up pretty good this year physically, and he's answered the bell every day we've called on him," Girardi said. "I may give him a couple days off to see if it helps him. He's just dealing with soreness that players have. It's all part of it."
Tex back at first base
Mark Teixeira, who missed seven games before pinch hitting Monday night, was back in the lineup, hitting cleanup and starting at first.
"Good to see he woke up today and felt fine," Girardi said. Teixeira's backup, Kelly Johnson, also got good news. Johnson has been on the 15-day DL since July 23 with a strained left groin but Girardi said "we feel he's going to be ready" to return the first day he's eligible.
