Pineda Playing Catch at 90 Feet; Could Now Return in Mid-August

While David Phelps has undoubtedly been good for the Yankees over the last few weeks, you still can't deny that Michael Pineda would be an improvement.

The 25 year-old sophomore, pitching in the majors this year for the first time since 2011, went 2-2 with a 1.83 ERA in four starts for the Yanks back in April, stats that haven't been able to change due to the youngster's severe shoulder injury.

Fortunetaly, Pineda took one step closer to finally returning from that wound today, playing catch at 90 feet.

According to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch, that kind of progress should only continue for #36 in the near future, as he is also scheduled to throw off a mound later this week and, if all goes well, possibly return to the Bombers in Mid-August. 

Pineda, who began the season as the Yankees' number five starter, hasn't pitched since April 23, when he was ejected after pine tar was discovered on his neck in a contest against the Red Sox.

Shortly after that disaster, Pineda sustained the injury while throwing a simulated game, causing him to go into the limbo he's in now, where nobody knows exactly when he'll come back.