Pineda certainly looked comfortable on the mound at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Saturday afternoon, striking out four Tigers hitters over three hitless innings during the split-squad Yankees' 4-1 win. So far this spring, he's given up one hit and a walk while striking out six batters in five innings.
"That was really impressive," first baseman Mark Teixeira said. "Just love to see that."
DET@NYY: Pineda fans four over three hitless innings
3/14/15: Michael Pineda pitches three hitless innings, allowing just one walk while striking out four innings in his second spring start
Pineda looks at home on the field and in the clubhouse, too. He was pointing and gesturing playfully after his fielders turned ground balls into outs. He smiled Saturday as he talked about how happy he feels.
"He enjoys playing the game. He really does. It's nice to see, gives good energy," Yankees bench coach Rob Thomson said. "He's a very confident guy, high-energy guy. You can see him taking the younger kids under his wing. He's grown up. He's a good guy to have around."
With two big league seasons under his belt, Pineda realizes he's been around long enough to take on somewhat of a leadership role. Hailing from the Dominican Republic, he's working on improving his English, and he said he tells his younger Latin American teammates that they need to learn the language as well. Doing so has helped Pineda feel more comfortable, he said.
"I see him relate extremely well to everyone in the clubhouse. I see him have young kids around that he's helping out," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He shares with these kids. Because there's a ton of talent in that room, and there's a lot of young talent. He can help them a lot."
Pineda could help the Yankees' rotation a lot, too, if he stays healthy enough to make a full season's worth of starts. He showed his potential once again Saturday, throwing his dominant fastball and slider while working in a more effective changeup. He also picked off Andrew Romine, the one batter to reach base against him.
DET@NYY: Pineda picks off Romine attempting to steal
3/14/15: Michael Pineda picks off Andrew Romine attempting to steal second base to end the 3rd inning
Not that performance was the issue for Pineda last season. He went 5-5 with a 1.89 ERA in 13 starts last year, striking out 59 batters and only walking seven. The recurring problem for Pineda is simply staying healthy.
Pineda was suspended 10 games last season after he was found pitching with pine tar on his neck while starting against the Red Sox on April 23, and during that suspension, he injured his right shoulder. He didn't get back on the mound until Aug. 13.
"He's a big part of our rotation," Girardi said. "Thirty, 32 starts from him would be outstanding."
That might be a high bar for Pineda to clear, but he believes he's up to the task.
"I like it. I feel good because this is what I want," Pineda said. "This is what I wanted, everybody here believing in me."
Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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