Pierre Noujaim of Fox 9 Minneapolis reports the Minnesota Twins have re-signed RHP Michael Pineda to a two year $20 million deal.
Pineda has missed the entirety of the 2018 season due to both his Tommy John rehab and his suffering a torn meniscus. He’d have a strong season with his leading all Twins starting pitchers in K/BB before his season ended due to a 60 game suspension after testing positive for Hydrochlorothiazide.
It should be noted Pineda was a rare case in that his suspension was reduced 20 games due to compelling evidence he did not use the drug as a PED masking diuretic. It should be noted hydrochlorothiazide is supposed to be diagnosed to treat hypertension.
With Pineda accepting his suspension in September, he was not only ineligible for the postseason, but he will also have to serve the balance of his suspension to start the 2020 season.
In 26 starts, he was 11-5 with a 4.01 ERA, 1.158 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9, and an 8.6 K/9.
With Pineda off the board, that is one fewer candidate to replace Zack Wheeler in the Mets rotation.
