The Cubs continue to sign injured pitchers hoping that they turn it around and find their past skills several years removed from major league action. James McDonald was placed on the 60 day DL at the end of camp. He was another injured pitcher the Cubs signed to find some past glory. Now, the Cubs continue to fill their M*A*S*H unit of rehabbing starters. After the Scott Baker situation last season, you would think the front office would have more caution in this area.
But no. MLBTR reports the the Cubs have agreed to terms with right-hander Joel Piniero on a minor league contract. Pineiro will spend 10 days in extended Spring Training
before reporting to Triple-A Iowa
Pineiro, 35, hasn't appeared in the Major Leagues since 2011 or the
minor leagues since 2012. He inked a minor league deal with the Orioles
last off-season after shoulder surgery cut his 2012 campaign short.
Pineiro spent some time rehabbing with the club, but he was released
midway through the season without getting into a game.
Pineiro joins A. Vizcaino as the long term rehab candidates. Vizcaino, who is now more than two years removed from TJ surgery, was sent to Daytona to continue his rehab, mostly because the club did not want him exposed to cold weather pitching. How brittle is Vizcaino? Very. Pineiro has not pitched in the majors since 2011, and his age, what is the realistic chance he will ever recover? Almost nil.
So why do the Cubs continue on this gambler's path of trying to roll hard eights at the crap table? Is there a continuing desperation that the vaulted minor league system is weak on pitching? That would be one explanation why the team continues to take these risky shots in the dark with injured veterans.
But for a team that is guarding its resources like a small market club, you would think that it would be better served by stopping the injury merri-go-round and try to develop their own pitching staff.
