Former Mariners, Red Sox, Cardinals and Angels pitcher Joel Pineiro is trying to make his way back to the big leagues, MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez reports. Pineiro is pitching in Puerto Rico this winter, and he'll start against a Cuban team on Tuesday in the Caribbean Series. Sanchez notes that the start could help Pineiro win a minor-league deal, but it also could be his last start as a pro. Still, Pineiro remains hopeful.
"Hopefully, I'll know more after Tuesday," Pineiro says. "[L]ook at a guy like Scott Kazmir. He stands out because he was with us in Anaheim, goes to Independent ball, got a chance with Cleveland and made the team. … A lot of players like Kazmir or Marlon Byrd have a good winter ball experience and Caribbean Series and all of a sudden, they get a second chance."
Pineiro last pitched in the big leagues in 2011 with the Angels. He made five starts in the Orioles system in 2012, but missed much of the season with shoulder trouble. He did not pitch in 2013, and the O's released him last July. The 35-year-old has a career 4.41 ERA with 5.4 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 in 1,754 1/3 innings, most of them as a starter.
