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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Pineiro’s injury not as bad as initially feared

Larry LaRue Tacoma News Tribune

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Seattle Mariners lost Joel Pineiro from 4 to 6 weeks — and perhaps the rest of the season — and considered that good news Monday.

Early indications were that the first magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI) Pineiro underwent Sunday night showed ligament damage that might have required Tommy John surgery, which might have sidelined him for 18 months.

Instead, a second MRI disclosed a muscular strain — technically, a strained flexor bundle in his right elbow.

“That’s better news than I was prepared to hear,” manager Bob Melvin said. “It could have been much worse.”

With Pineiro out of the starting rotation, the Mariners will recall Gil Meche from Tacoma in time to start Friday’s game against the Angels in Anaheim.

“Gil’s pitched a couple of bad games, a couple of good ones,” GM Bill Bavasi said. “His arm and his stuff is still electric.”

The good news on Pineiro was still a blow to a team that didn’t need more.

At 25, Pineiro pitched one of his best games of the season Sunday at Safeco Field against the Angels. Though only 6-11 this season with an unspectacular 4.67 earned-run average, Pineiro led the team in innings pitched (1402/3), games started (21) and strikeouts (111).

Pineiro, in Seattle on Monday for more tests, will rejoin the team on the road Thursday and remain with the Mariners throughout this two-week trip.

When the team returns to Seattle on Aug. 8, team doctors will re-evaluate the elbow.