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New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said in a radio interview Monday that fans will have to wait until at least midseason next year to catch their first glimpse of young right-hander Michael Pineda, reports ESPN New York:
On Michael Pineda's return from major shoulder surgery: "We have to keep him off our radar for now. ... We're talking June of next year ... the second half of next year."
The 23-year-old Pineda, who the Yankees acquired for catcher Jesus Montero in January in a rare swap of top prospects, has yet to throw a pitch in a Yankees uniform, missing the entire 2012 season with shoulder problems.
Pineda underwent surgery in April to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, and the recovery process has progressed much slower than expected. Pineda was slated to begin a throwing program in September and be ready to go by Spring Training, but timeline has been pushed back considerably.