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Twins sign Pineda to 2-year, $10M deal

Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Minnesota Twins announced Wednesday the signing of right-hander Michael Pineda - who's expected to miss the majority of next season due to Tommy John surgery - to a two-year, $10-million contract.

He'll earn a $2-million salary next season, and $8 million in 2019, per the Twins' press release. Additional bonuses could earn him another $3 million, a source told Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press.

Before his injury was discovered in July, Pineda posted a 4.39 ERA (103 ERA+) and 1.287 WHIP while striking out 92 batters over 17 starts for the New York Yankees in 2017. He underwent Tommy John surgery on July 18 - just days after a tear in ulnar collateral ligament was found.

Given the lateness of his surgery and his timetable for recovery, it's conceivable that Pineda won't throw a single pitch in the coming year, meaning Minnesota made this move with an eye on competing in 2019.

"I had a nice conversation with (Pineda)," Twins manager Paul Molitor said at the winter meetings, according to Berardino. "He's excited about the opportunity of coming to Minnesota. We all know when he's healthy what he can do."

Pineda previously missed all of the 2012 and '13 seasons due to a variety of injuries.

The 28-year-old owns a career record of 40-41 with a 4.05 ERA (101 ERA+), 1.190 WHIP, and 687 strikeouts across 680 innings pitched with the Yankees and Seattle Mariners. He was an All-Star with Seattle during his rookie season in 2011 and recorded 206 strikeouts while averaging an AL-leading 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings in 2016.

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