Michael Pineda

 
It may have been delayed by two-and-a-half years, but Michael Pineda is beginning to give the Yankees proof that he could one day be an anchor of their rotation. Impressive in several April starts -- which were tainted by his blatant doctoring of balls with pine tar -- Pineda was first suspended, then shelved by yet another shoulder injury, Finally healthy in August, he's been impressive in his first two starts, though the Yankee bats haven't exactly been supportive. Working a batter into the 7th inning last night, he allowed two runs and kept a talented Houston lineup in check. Most importantly, he is showing some of the form from his rookie year in Seattle -- talent that impressed the Yankees enough to swap their then-top prospect Jesus Montero for him in the winter of 2012. Is he a tease? A mirage? Or someone ready to join Masahiro Tanaka in the Yanks' post-Jeter (and post-Sabathia) era?

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