Pineda taking optimistic approach: Yankees injured starter Michael Pineda (shoulder) went on WFAN and said he expects to be "100 percent" healthy by spring training of next season. "Yeah, the doctor before the surgery, he told me, 'Hey no worries. You can’t pitch this year, but I promise next year you’ll be ready 100 percent in spring training.' That’s what he told me before the surgery," explained Pineda. Pineda underwent surgery last month to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder. (Updated 05/09/2012)
Injury Report
Shoulder - 60-day DL. Out for season (Updated - 5/5/12)
Fantasy Analysis
The 23-year-old Pineda is obviously taking the optimistic approach to his recovery and we don't blame him. He's young enough where this shouldn't be career-threatening in any way. Pineda will work and try to get himself ready for spring training next year. That said, the normal recovery time for his issue is 12 months after surgery, meaning Pineda will likely not be available to the Yankees until May 2013. He still has some value in long-term keeper formats, but this isn't a minor injury and we've seen how shoulder injuries can impact pitchers. Owners in seasonal leagues should drop Pineda, if you haven't already done so. (Updated 05/09/2012).
04/03/2012 10:36 Setting the Trends: Quality adds to be had
Who are owners scooping up off the waiver wire in advance of opening day? Our Nando Di Fino takes a look at some early roster trends and shares his take on who to add and avoid in Setting the Trends.
03/30/2012 23:29 Injury roundup: Michael Morse to open season on DL
Washington Nationals outfielder Michael Morse will open the season on the disabled list because of the injured lat muscle that's limited him all spring. Plus injury-related news and notes from around Grapefruit and Cactus League camps.
03/30/2012 20:32 Daniel Bard to rotation, Michael Pineda to minors or DL?
In light of Friday's results, Daniel Bard of the Red Sox and Michael Pineda of the Yankees, two pitchers under the spring microscope, may be trending in very different directions.
03/28/2012 21:35 2012 Draft Prep: Our final mock draft
The team associated with Fantasy Baseball 360 conducted a 10-team mixed-league draft for bragging rights. Check out the results!
Michael Pineda took baseball and the Fantasy world by storm during his rookie campaign after winning a spot in the starting rotation out of spring training. The right-hander posted a 2.16 ERA over his first nine starts and ended up 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 28 outings. He finished with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 172-to-55 in 171 innings before being shut down at the end of the season to conserve his arm. The Yankees were among those that took notice, sending top prospect Jesus Montero and up-and-coming pitcher Hector Noesi to the Mariners for Pineda this offseason. The move should eliminate the lack of run support that caused Pineda to finish with a sub-.500 record, but the hard-throwing 23-year-old will have to adjust to life at Yankee Stadium, which is a much smaller park than Safeco Field. Still, the expectation is a step forward for the second-year hurler, especially since he already has command of the strike zone. Factor in the upgraded supporting cast, and Pineda could be one of the fastest risers up the starting pitcher rankings this year. If he's able to pitch 200 innings, he should break the 200-strikeout mark and perhaps the 15-win mark as well. Target the rising ace as a top-25 Fantasy starting pitcher with the potential to rank even higher than that. (Updated 1/17/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
= probable start