Michael Pineda Injury: Updates on Yankees Star's Forearm and Return

Michael Pineda has returned to the New York Yankees after another stint on the disabled list.

The team confirmed the news of Pineda's return on Wednesday as the Bronx Bombers look to keep pace with the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East. The pitcher first went on the disabled list on July 30 with forearm tightness, per Marly Rivera of ESPN Deportes.

Prior to Pineda's activation, Yankees manager Joe Girardi had said the pitcher was expected to start Wednesday as the Yankees take on the Houston Astros, per Wallace Matthews of ESPN.com on Aug. 22. Girardi said he'd received positive reports on Pineda's second rehab start, in which the starting pitcher gave up one earned run in 4.2 innings, per Brendan Kuty of NJ.com.

This had been the first season in which Pineda was completely healthy for the Yankees. His 19 starts in 2015 are the most since the 2011 campaign, when he took the hill 28 times as a rookie in Seattle. The 26-year-old didn't start a game in 2012 or 2013 because of injuries. 

Pineda's season ERA of 3.97 is relatively high, but his 7.80 strikeout-to-walk ratio is the best for a starter with at least 100 innings pitched. Given his long injury history, the Yankees have to be cautious before letting him step back on the mound.

Stats via ESPN.com