Michael Pineda, Starting Pitcher
Date of Birth: 1/18/1989
Birthplace: Yaguate, Dominican Republic
Michael Pineda, starting pitcher, first signed with the Seattle Mariners in December, 2005, when he was just 16 years old. He played in the minor leagues from 2006 through 2010, finishing with 31 wins to 14 losses. He had elbow surgery in 2009 that limited his playing time that season.
In 2011, Pineda joined the Mariners' starting rotation. He pitched 171.0 innings in 28 games and he had a 9-10 record with 173 strikeouts to 55 walks and a 3.74 ERA.
Pineda was traded to the New York Yankees in January, 2012. He was injured during Spring training in 2012 and he ended up having surgery in May that ended the season for him. He spent 2013 recuperating from his surgery and pitching in the minor leagues.
Pineda encountered problems again in 2014. First, he received a 10 game suspension in April for using pine tar. Then, during his suspension, he was injured and he spent a good part of the season on the DL. He finished the season with a 5-5 record, 59 strikeouts to 7 walks, and a 1.89 ERA in 76.1 innings in 13 games.
Pineda spent most of August, 2015, on the DL with a forearm muscle strain. He finished the 2015 season with a 12-10 record, 156 strikeouts to 21 walks, and a 4.37 ERA in 160.2 innings in 27 games.
In 2016, Pineda had a 4.82 ERA in 32 games. He finished the season with 6 wins to 12 losses and 207 strikeouts to 53 walks in 175.2 innings.
Pineda was on the DL for part of the 2017 season. He finished the season with 8 wins and 4 losses, 92 strikeouts to 21 walks, and a 4.39 ERA in 96.1 innings in 17 games. He didn't pitch in the postseason.
Pineda elected free agency on November 2, 2017. He was signed by the Minnesota Twins on December 13, 2017. He spent the 2018 season on the DL with a UCL injury. He played in four rehab games in the minors.
Pineda received a 60-game suspension for the use of PEDs in September, 2019. He finished the season with 11 wins and 5 losses, 140 strikeouts to 28 walks, and a 4.01 ERA in 146.0 innings in 26 games.
Pineda palyed in five games in 2020. He finished the season with 2 wins and no losses and a 3.38 ERA in 26.2 innings.
Pineda spent time on the IL in 2021 with an abscess, an elbow inflammation, and an oblique strain. He finished the season with 9 wins and 8 losses, 88 strikeouts to 21 walks, and a 3.62 ERA in 109.1 innings in 22 games.
Pineda became a free agent on November 3, 2021. He signed with the Detroit Tigers on March 19, 2022. He was released on September 7, 2022.
Career pitching statistics for Pineda through 2021 include:
- 170 games played
- 962.0 innings pitched
- 62-54 win-loss record
- 940 strikeouts to 213 walks
- 3.98 ERA
Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Michael Pineda
ESPN - Michael Pineda