Pineda's stuff 'a little off' in return from IL

MINNEAPOLIS -- Time is running out for the Twins.

No, not to turn their season around -- it’s already too late for that, as was reinforced again by the methodical and thorough 6-1 loss to the first-place White Sox on Wednesday. Chicago’s lineup recorded a hit in each of the first eight innings to pressure the Twins’ pitching staff throughout the afternoon, while former Twins right-hander Lance Lynn allowed only a solo homer to Trevor Larnach in an otherwise clean six innings.

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It’s more that there’s a very limited amount of time in which Michael Pineda, who was once one of Minnesota’s most appealing trade candidates on an expiring contract, can show that his recent arm issues haven’t sapped him of that market value ahead of the upcoming July 30 Trade Deadline.

His first showcase didn’t go so well.

In his first start following a three-week stint on the 10-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation, Pineda’s fastball averaged 89.9 mph -- barely above his season low of 89.8 -- as he allowed a career-high 12 hits to the White Sox in 5 1/3 innings. It marked his first time giving up double-digit hits in three seasons with Minnesota and surpassed his previous career high of 11 hits allowed, which came all the way back on June 22, 2015.

“I can say the stuff is a little down, so that alone makes you ask that question,” manager Rocco Baldelli said of Pineda’s health. “I completely understand that. I think in general terms, on a structural level and things like that, I think Mike is fine. I think he’s feeling all right.”

Though Pineda’s slider was still sharp enough to earn him three of his four strikeouts, all three of the right-hander’s pitches were knocked around as he allowed five of the six leadoff hitters he faced to reach base, forcing him to pitch out of jams throughout his outing. He also issued an uncharacteristic three walks last Thursday in a four-inning rehab start for Triple-A St. Paul, though he and the Twins still felt good enough about his readiness to move him back into the big leagues for this start.

“We’ve seen him pitch real well at 88 to 90 at certain times,” Baldelli said. “But I think the ability for him today to feel his breaking ball was a little off. I think his slider was not doing what he wanted it to do.”

Pineda was chased in the sixth inning, having allowed five earned runs. He has now given up that many earned runs twice in his last four starts -- after having held opponents to four or fewer earned runs in each of his 24 previous appearances.

Those four outings have come in the aftermath of the right-hander getting hit in the arm by a comebacker in a May 29 start against Baltimore, which led to lingering tightness in the forearm that cut his next start short and pushed back the following appearance before he eventually ended up on the 10-day IL with an elbow problem. Pineda insists that he doesn’t feel any different.

“Sometimes, something happens and you have to figure out how you can help the team and grind,” Pineda said. “If you pitch, you have to figure it out and try to pitch and pitch good games and help your team. That's what I try to do, and, yeah, I feel like the same Michael Pineda."

He’ll have some added time to rest up for his next start, which will come after the All-Star break. By then, the Trade Deadline will be two weeks away, possibly leaving time for three more starts, depending on how the Twins line up their rotation to begin the second half.

Outside of Pineda, the Twins are likely only looking at meaningful returns for Nelson Cruz and Hansel Robles among their free agents-to-be, and even Cruz’s market will be limited to the American League. For any more significant trade return, they might have to consider moving someone from next year’s free agent class of José Berríos, Taylor Rogers or Byron Buxton -- and that would hamper their ability to compete in 2022.

But even as the Deadline grows ever closer, Pineda isn’t letting trade considerations impact his mindset on the mound.

“I know the situation, but I'm not thinking about it,” Pineda said. “I don't have control of that. I'm here. I'm a Minnesota Twins player. I want to focus on doing my job and helping my team to win the game, and whatever situation happens just happens.”