Michael Pineda spent last season rehabbing, occasionally visiting his teammates between stints at Fort Myers and basically biding his time until today. He was a member of the Twins but had nothing to show for it except for sweating in Minnesota gear.
The Twins signed Pineda to a two-year contract in December of 2017. He made $2 million last season - $2 million to work out, I think anyone would love to be paid to exercise - then $8 million this season. The bet was that he would have a smooth rehab and, once healthy, resemble the up-and-coming pitcher he was with the Yankees.
Keep in mind that Pineda has now had reconstructive shoulder AND elbow surgery. It's challenging enough coming back from Tommy John surgery. A shoulder repair often derails careers.
But Pineda has fought through both, is healthy and is about to make his comeback complete this afternoon at Target Field and the Twins and Indians play the rubber game of their three-game series. Pineda looked really sharp at times during spring training, looking like someone who had never missed a start in the rotation and who was just on a normal progression toward the regular season.
And the Twins are hoping that Pineda, today, can pitch like he never skipped a beat. I listed Pineda as one of the keys to the Twins season. If he pitches well, it's a huge development for the Twins.
The Twins announced that Jose Berrios will start on Tuesday in Kansas City and that Kyle Gibson will make his season debut on Wednesday.
And some fans are in early season form.
Kepler should have bunted Buxton to third, or
