Starting pitcher Michael Pineda is expected to rejoin the New York Yankees next week after being on the shelf since May with a shoulder injury.

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The 25-year-old Pineda is expected to start for the Yankees against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday barring any setbacks in his second rehab start at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday. Pineda threw 3.1 scoreless innings in his first rehab start on August 3 and is expected to throw 75 to 80 pitches on Friday.

The Yankees traded for Pineda in 2012, dealing top prospects Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi, but they didn't get to see Pineda in action until 2014 due to tendinitis and an anterior labral tear in his right shoulder. Pineda was stellar in his limited action earlier in the season and managed a 2-2 record with a 1.83 ERA.

Pineda was suspended 10 games by the MLB for having pine tar on his neck during a game against the Boston Red Sox. While serving his suspension, Pineda strained a muscle in his shoulder and hasn't pitched for New York since.

Pineda will offer some much needed reenforcents for the Yankees as their rotation has been decimated with injuries in 2014. The Yankees are expected to get ace Masahiro Tanaka back in September, but will not see CC Sabathia or Ivan Nova until 2015 the earliest.

The Yankees sit five games back of the American League East leading Orioles and a half game back of the second wild card spot. The Yankees have been competitive with a rotation that includes Hiroki Kuroda, Brandon McCarthy, Chris Capuano, rookie Shane Greene and recently injured David Phelps.

[SI]

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