Pineiro Pitches Two Innings In Minor League Game

By TIM KORTEAP Sports Writer PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) – Seattle Mariners right-hander Joel Pineiro returned to the mound Monday for the first time in more than two weeks, throwing two innings of a minor league game against Kansas City. Pineiro faced seven batters, throwing 16 strikes in 26 pitches. He allowed one hit, notched a strikeout and hit one batter with a pitch. “I threw all my pitches,” he said. “I threw 10 curveballs, some sliders, everything. No pain. It went great.” Pineiro developed shoulder stiffness after his first spring training start. In two innings March 4, he allowed two runs and two hits with a walk and a strikeout in Seattle’s 8-1 loss to Milwaukee. The following week, he was scratched from his scheduled start. He threw on flat ground, then pitched three bullpen sessions before Monday’s action. He expected to return sooner. “I thought, from the soreness, that I was going to come back quicker,” Pineiro said. “It just took a little longer than I’d expected. We’ll see how it feels tomorrow, but right now it feels great.” A 16-game winner in 2003, Pineiro missed the second half last season with a strained right elbow. He went 6-11 with a 4.67 ERA, his first losing record since he went 10-15 at Double-A New Haven in 1999. He’s eager to get back on the mound in a Cactus League game. Though Pineiro’s name isn’t on the schedule for any upcoming games, the lineup could be shuffled if pitching coach Bryan Price believes he’s ready. “B.P. said if I go perfect here today, I’ll go every five days again and start getting my regular work in,” Pineiro said. Pineiro opened the spring in line to become Seattle’s opening day starter, but that appears unlikely now. A five-day rotation would favor 42-year-old lefty Jamie Moyer, who pitched six innings Sunday. Manager Mike Hargrove has made no announcement about the opening starter.